-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, KT4LC0b1Io023N23hqNQjY1riXIxTGICD9Kd/zsKQkrJZyKmQ9oeFGCDkX9beSMB I9v9Fz7L6l7zkNPkFYgZew== 0000897069-05-000558.txt : 20050228 0000897069-05-000558.hdr.sgml : 20050228 20050228164534 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0000897069-05-000558 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20050228 ITEM INFORMATION: Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement ITEM INFORMATION: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets ITEM INFORMATION: Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20050228 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20050228 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES INC /WI/ CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000818010 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION - CROPS [0100] IRS NUMBER: 391583759 STATE OF INCORPORATION: WI FISCAL YEAR END: 0831 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-16130 FILM NUMBER: 05646227 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 2930 INDUSTRIAL STREET STREET 2: P O BOX 8020 CITY: WISCONSIN RAPIDS STATE: WI ZIP: 54494-8020 BUSINESS PHONE: 7154244444 8-K 1 sdc904.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934



Date of Report
(Date of earliest event reported):
February 22, 2005


NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Wisconsin
0-16130
39-1583759
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
(Commission File Number)  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

2321 West Grand Avenue, P.O. Box 8020, Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin 54495-8020
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(715) 424-4444

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)




Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

[   ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
[   ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
[   ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))



Item 1.01. Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement.

Asset Purchase Agreement

        On February 22, 2005, Northland Cranberries, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”), NCI Foods, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“NCI”), and Apple & Eve LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Apple & Eve”), entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company sold to Apple & Eve certain assets related to its branded juice business, including: (a) certain raw materials, work-in-process and finished goods inventories, together with certain related labels, bottles and other bottling and packaging materials owned by the Company on February 22, 2005; (b) all the Company’s and NCI’s interest in certain trade rights used or held for use in connection with the business and operation of the Company’s branded juice business, including without limitation rights related to the Northland trademark, certain trademarks held in the name of NCI, and the Seneca trademark pursuant to the Trademark License Agreement by and between the Company and Seneca Foods Corporation, a New York corporation (“Seneca”) dated December 29, 1998 (the “Seneca License Agreement”); (c) all trade accounts receivable of the Company related exclusively to the branded juice business; (d) a list of certain customers of the branded juice business and all goodwill associated therewith; (e) all of the Company’s rights in, to and under certain contracts, purchase orders and sales orders of the Company pertaining to the branded juice business; (f) certain personal property; (g) all sales literature, promotional literature, catalogs and similar materials of the Company associated exclusively with the branded juice business, including but not limited to signs, signage and product memorabilia relating to the branded juice business’ trade rights; (h) all transferable licenses, permits, approvals, certifications and listings of the Company relating exclusively to the branded juice business; and (i) the records and files of the Company relating exclusively to the above-referenced assets of the branded juice business, including, without limitation, transferring invoices, customer and vendor lists and operating and marketing plans, and all other documents, tapes, discs, programs or other embodiments of information of the branded juice business. As consideration for the purchased assets, Apple & Eve paid to the Company, subject to a final working capital adjustment, approximately $10.8 million in cash, consisting of base consideration of approximately $9 million, $500,000 of which was placed in an escrow account, and a preliminary working capital adjustment of approximately $1.8 million.

        Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Apple & Eve also assumed approximately $3.5 million of selected current liabilities of the Company, including: (i) all liabilities and obligations associated with any open purchase orders and contracts with respect to sales of juice products related to the brands (excluding the cranberry juice concentrate, fresh cranberry and frozen cranberry inventories of the Company); (ii) all liabilities and obligations associated with any open purchase orders and contracts with vendors and suppliers of raw materials related to the brands; (iii) all liabilities and obligations associated with the Company’s rights in, to and under certain contracts, purchase orders and sales orders of the Company pertaining to the branded juice business and arising after February 22, 2005; (iv) all trade accounts payable; (v) all liabilities and obligations of the Company relating to coupons issued by the Company prior to February 22, 2005 and validly redeemed on or after April 26, 2005; (vi) all liabilities and obligations of the Company associated with any product liability, breach of warranty or similar claim for injury to person or property asserted after February 22, 2005 and related to the branded juice business, but only to the extent based on events occurring after February 22, 2005; (vii) except as otherwise provided in the Purchase Agreement, all liabilities and obligations associated with certain employees employed by the Apple & Eve after February 22, 2005 that arise after February 22, 2005 and relate to Apple & Eve’s employment of such employees; (viii) all liabilities and obligations associated with the failure by Apple & Eve, the branded juice business or the purchased assets to comply with any law, regulation, statute, ordinance or treaty after the closing of the transaction, subject to the agreement of the parties set forth in the Purchase Agreement; and (ix) liens that are considered permitted liens.





        Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, Apple & Eve granted to the Company a fully paid, exclusive, royalty free right and license to use the Northland Cranberries, Inc. trademark in connection with its continuing business operations for a period of two years following February 22, 2005. The Company agreed that during such two-year period it will not use the Northland Cranberries, Inc. trademark in connection with any business competitive with the retail sale or marketing of juice, juice drinks or cranberry related products, and that it will promptly change its corporate name at the expiration of the two-year period.

        The Company’s sale of the branded juice business is expected to impact approximately 35 jobs at the Company’s Wisconsin Rapids facility as the Company transitions the branded juice business to Apple & Eve over the next 60 days. Under the Purchase Agreement, the Company agreed to defend, indemnify and hold Apple & Eve harmless from and against breaches of certain representations, warranties and covenants and certain unassumed liabilities.

        The Company used the net proceeds resulting from the sale of the branded juice business to pay down outstanding principal balances on its Revolver A, Revolver B and term loan credit facilities, and to pay related expenses due to the administrative agent.

        In connection with the sale of the branded juice business, the Company also delivered to Apple & Eve:

  a Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement, duly executed by the Company, which is described in detail below;

  an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, duly executed by the Company, under which the Company assigned, and Apple & Eve assumed, the assumed liabilities;

  a Transition Agreement, duly executed by the Company, under which the Company agreed to supply, and Apple & Eve agreed to pay for, certain transition services during the term of such agreement;

  an Assignment and Assumption Agreement, duly executed by the Company, NCI and Seneca, under which: (i) NCI assigned to Apple & Eve, and Apple & Eve assumed, all of NCI’s rights under the Seneca License Agreement and (ii) Seneca consented to the assignment of the Seneca License Agreement to Apple & Eve; and

  an Escrow Agreement, duly executed by the Company, under which $500,000 of the base consideration paid by Apple & Eve for the purchased assets was placed into escrow.

        The Purchase Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and it is incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above of the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement that the Company believes are material to the Company is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Purchase Agreement.



2



Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement

        In connection with the Company’s sale of the branded juice business and pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, the Company and Apple & Eve also entered into a Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2005, (the “Supply Agreement”). Under the Supply Agreement, Apple & Eve committed to purchase from the Company on a monthly basis, during the period from February 22, 2005 to February 22, 2006, all of the cranberry concentrate in the Company’s inventory of cranberry juice concentrate as of February 22, 2005 (the “Existing Inventory”), for an aggregate purchase price equal to approximately $6.7 million. In addition, for the period beginning on October 1, 2005 and ending on the earlier of September 30, 2014 or the termination of the Company’s toll processing agreement with Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. (“Ocean Spray”), Apple & Eve has the option in each year to purchase on a monthly basis up to the total amount of cranberry juice concentrate available to the Company under its toll processing agreement with Ocean Spray at a price that does not exceed the price at which the Company can sell cranberry juice concentrate to Ocean Spray under the toll processing agreement.

        The Supply Agreement also provides that no later than December 1 of each year during the term of the Supply Agreement, the Company will notify Apple & Eve of its intention to terminate or cancel any supply or sourcing agreements with any third party contract growers to which the Company is a party as of February 22, 2005, the effect of which would be to reduce the total acreage of cranberry marshes under contract by the Company or its affiliates to less than 1,575 acres. Upon such termination or cancellation, the Company agreed to use its best efforts to: (i) introduce Apple & Eve to such third party contract growers; and (ii) assist Apple & Eve in establishing a supply arrangement with such third party contract growers.

        If at any time Apple & Eve breaches any representation or warranty or fails to perform any obligation in the Supply Agreement, the Company may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Supply Agreement upon 45 days’ written notice, provided that the Company will have the ability to terminate the Supply Agreement immediately in the event any payment required to be made by Apple & Eve to the Company is not received within 20 days of notice of default, in any such event unless such default is being contested in good faith by Apple and Eve. In addition, the Company may immediately terminate the Supply Agreement upon the termination, for any reason, of the Company’s toll processing agreement with Ocean Spray. If at any time during the period beginning on October 1, 2005 and ending on the earlier of September 30, 2014 or the termination of the Company’s toll processing agreement with Ocean Spray the Company breaches any representation or warranty or fails to perform any obligation under the Supply Agreement, Apple & Eve may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Supply Agreement upon 45 days’ written notice, in any such event unless such default is being contested in good faith by the Company. In addition, upon the termination, for any reason, of the Company’s toll processing agreement with Ocean Spray, Apple & Eve may terminate the Supply Agreement, except that Apple & Eve shall remain obligated to purchase the remaining Existing Inventory, if any, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Supply Agreement.

        The Supply Agreement is filed as Exhibit 10.2 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and it is incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth above of the terms and conditions of the Supply Agreement that the Company believes are material to the Company is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Supply Agreement.



3



Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, Waiver, Consent and Release

        On February 22, 2005, the Company entered into and became obligated under the Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, Waiver, Consent and Release (the “Second Amendment”), with Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc. (“WFF”), as a lender and as administrative agent for the lenders, Ableco Finance, LLC (“Ableco”), as a lender and as collateral agent for the lenders, and with the guarantors party thereto. The Second Amendment amended the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2004, between and among, on the one hand, WFF and Ableco, and, on the other hand, the Company and the guarantors party thereto, as such Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement was amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated as of December 22, 2004. Item 2.03 of this Current Report on Form 8-K contains a brief description of the terms and conditions of the Second Amendment that the Company believes are material to the Company and Item 2.03 is incorporated by reference into this Item 1.01.

        Further information is included in the Company’s press release filed as Exhibit 99 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by the Company on February 22, 2005.

Item 2.01. Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets.

        On February 22, 2005, the Company completed the transactions contemplated by the Purchase Agreement. The information set forth in Item 1.01 of this Current Report on Form 8-K regarding the Purchase Agreement is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.01.

Item 2.03. Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation Under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant.

The following is a brief summary of the terms and provisions of the Second Amendment that the Company believes are material to the Company. The Second Amendment is filed as Exhibit 4.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and it is incorporated herein by reference. The summary set forth below is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Second Amendment.

Consent, Release and Waiver Related to Asset Sale by the Company and NCI

        The Second Amendment provides for: (i) the lenders’ consent to the sale of the branded juice business by the Company and NCI; (ii) the collateral agent’s release of its security interests in the assets sold by the Company and NCI; and (iii) the lenders’ waiver of certain events of default under the existing loan agreement resulting from consummation of the sale of the branded juice business by the Company and NCI.

Consent, Release and Waiver Related to Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement

        The Second Amendment provides for: (i) the lenders’ consent to the Supply Agreement; (ii) the collateral agent’s release of its security interest in the cranberry juice concentrate inventory sold by the Company to Apple & Eve pursuant to the Supply Agreement; and (iii) the lenders’ waiver of certain events of default under the existing loan agreement resulting from the Company’s performance under the Supply Agreement.

Termination of WFF as Lender; Appointment of New Administrative Agent

        The Second Amendment provides that upon satisfaction by the Company of all payment obligations owing to WFF under the existing loan agreement: (i) WFF will terminate its participation as a lender under the credit facility; (ii) WFF will resign as administrative agent; and (iii) Ableco will replace WFF as administrative agent.



4



Revised Maturity Date; New Financial Covenant

        The Second Amendment amends the maturity date of the credit facility to October 31, 2005, and obligates the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio, measured on a month-end basis, of 1.2 to 1.0 during the period from March 1, 2005 through the maturity date of October 31, 2005.

Termination of Letters of Credit Facility

        The Second Amendment provides that the Company will no longer be entitled to request any letters of credit under the existing loan agreement, and that lenders will have no obligation to arrange for or issue any letters of credit for the benefit of the Company.

Certain Financial Obligations

        The Second Amendment obligates the Company and NCI to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to WFF, payment in cash or cash equivalents of an amount equal to the net sale proceeds of the sale by the Company and NCI of the branded juice business, and such payment will be applied by WFF to: (i) the outstanding principal balances of the Revolver A, Revolver B and term loan facilities, together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all costs, fees and charges due and payable in connection therewith; and (ii) to the outstanding costs, fees, charges and expenses due and payable to the administrative agent. The Second Amendment also obligates the Company to deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the administrative agent, payment in cash or cash equivalents of an amount equal to the sum of: (A) $500,000 less any amount paid by the Company to Apple & Eve as a final adjustment of the purchase price for the purchased assets; and (B) the amount, if any, paid by Apple & Eve to the Company as a final adjustment of the purchase price for the purchased assets, such payment to be made upon the determination of the final purchase price adjustment under the Purchase Agreement and to be applied by the administrative agent to the outstanding principal balance of the term loan.

Reduction in Commitments and Term Loan Balance

        The Second Amendment provides that upon the established application of the net sale proceeds: (i) the Revolver A commitment of WFF will be reduced to zero; (ii) the Revolver B commitment of Ableco will be reduced to $2,500,000; and (iii) the outstanding principal balance on the term loan will be equal to or less than $12,000,000.



Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

  (a) Not applicable.

  (b) Pro Forma Financial Information.

Unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements of the Company giving effect to the sale of the Company’s branded juice business are attached as Exhibit 99 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.



5



  (c) Exhibits. The following exhibits are being filed herewith:

  (4.1) Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, Waiver, Consent and Release, dated as of February 22, 2005, between and among, on the one hand, Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc. and Ableco Finance, LLC, and the other lenders identified on the signature pages thereto, Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., as administrative agent for the lenders, Ableco Finance, LLC, as the collateral agent for the lenders, and, on the other hand, the Company and the guarantors party thereto from time to time.*

  (10.1) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2005, by and between the Company, NCI and Apple & Eve.*

  (10.2) Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2005, by and between the Company and Apple & Eve.*

  (99) Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and twelve month periods ending November 30 and August 31, 2004, Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for the twelve month period ending August 31, 2004, and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company giving effect to the sale of the Company’s branded juice business.



* Schedules and exhibits to these exhibits have been omitted, but will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.















6




SIGNATURES

        Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.


NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.


Date:  February 28, 2005 By:    /s/  Nigel J. Cooper
Nigel J. Cooper
Vice President - Finance
























7




NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.

Exhibit Index to Current Report on Form 8-K


Exhibit
Number

(4.1) Second Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, Waiver, Consent and Release, dated as of February 22, 2005, between and among, on the one hand, Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc. and Ableco Finance, LLC, and the other lenders identified on the signature pages thereto, Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., as administrative agent for the lenders, Ableco Finance, LLC, as the collateral agent for the lenders, and, on the other hand, the Company and the guarantors party thereto from time to time.*

(10.1) Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2005, by and between the Company, NCI and Apple & Eve.*

(10.2) Concentrate Purchase and Supply Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2005, by and between the Company and Apple & Eve.*

(99) Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income for the three and twelve month periods ending November 30 and August 31, 2004, Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet for the twelve month period ending August 31, 2004, and Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company giving effect to the sale of the Company’s branded juice business.



* Schedules and exhibits to these exhibits have been omitted, but will be furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission upon request.
















8

EX-4.1 2 sdc904d.htm SECOND AMENDMENT TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGR.

EXECUTION COPY


SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN
AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, WAIVER, CONSENT AND RELEASE


        SECOND AMENDMENT TO AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT, WAIVER, CONSENT AND RELEASE, dated as of February 22, 2005 (the “Amendment”), to the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 16, 2004, as amended by the First Amendment, dated as of December 22, 2004 (as the same now exists or may hereafter be amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced, the “Loan Agreement”), between and among, on the one hand, Wells Fargo Foothill, Inc., a California corporation (“WFF”), and Ableco Finance, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Ableco”), and the other lenders identified on the signature pages thereto (such lenders, together with their respective successors and assigns, each individually a “Lender” and collectively, the “Lenders”), WFF, as the administrative agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Administrative Agent”), Ableco, as the collateral agent for the Lenders (in such capacity, the “Collateral Agent” and together with the Administrative Agent, each an “Agent” and collectively, the “Agents”) and, on the other hand, Northland Cranberries, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (“Borrower”), and the guarantors party thereto from time to time. Capitalized terms used herein but not specifically defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to them in the Loan Agreement.

        WHEREAS, Borrower and NCI Foods LLC (“NCI”), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Borrower and a guarantor under the Loan Agreement, have advised the Agents and the Lenders that, pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, dated as of the date hereof (the “Northland Purchase Agreement”), by and between Apple & Eve, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, as buyer (the “Buyer”), and the Borrower and NCI, as sellers, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, (i) Borrower desires to sell certain of its assets as set forth on Exhibit B hereto (the “Northland Purchased Assets”) and assign certain of its liabilities to the Buyer and (ii) NCI desires to sell certain of its assets as set forth as Exhibit C hereto (the “NCI Purchased Assets”) to the Buyer (such transaction, the “Northland Asset Sale”);

        WHEREAS, Borrower and NCI have each requested (i) that the Lenders consent to the sale of the Northland Purchased Assets and the NCI Purchased Assets, (ii) that Collateral Agent release the security interests that it holds for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement in the Northland Purchased Assets and the NCI Purchased Assets, and (iii) that the Lenders waive any Event of Default that may occur under the Loan Agreement as a result of the consummation of the Northland Asset Sale;

        WHEREAS, Borrower has advised the Agents and the Lenders that Borrower desires to sell cranberry concentrate (the “Purchased Concentrate”) pursuant to the Concentrate Sale and Supply Agreement (the “Concentrate Agreement”), dated as of the date hereof, by and between the Buyer, as purchaser, and the Borrower, as supplier, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit D (the “Concentrate Sale”);



        WHEREAS, Borrower has requested (i) that the Lenders consent to the sale of the Purchased Concentrate, (ii) that Collateral Agent release the security interests that it holds for the benefit of the Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement in the Purchased Concentrate, and (iii) that the Lenders waive any Event of Default that may occur under the Loan Agreement as a result of the consummation of the Purchased Concentrate Agreement;

        WHEREAS, WFF has advised the other Lenders and the Borrower that it desires to terminate its Total Commitment under the Loan Agreement;

        WHEREAS, the Lenders and the Borrower desire to set forth the application of proceeds that Borrower and NCI shall receive from the sale of the Northland Purchased Assets, the NCI Purchased Assets and the Purchased Concentrate;

        WHEREAS, WFF in its capacity as the Administrative Agent has advised the Collateral Agent, Lenders and Borrower that it desires to resign as Administrative Agent;

        WHEREAS, Ableco has advised the Administrative Agent, the Lenders and Borrower that it will accept appointment as successor to WFF as Administrative Agent;

        In consideration of the foregoing and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged by the parties hereto, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

        SECTION 1    Amendments to Loan Agreement.

        1.1     Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definitions of each of the following terms: “Maximum Credit Line”, “Maximum Revolver A Amount”, and “Maximum Revolver B Amount” and replacing each such definition to read in its entirety, respectively, as follows:

        “‘Maximum Credit Line’ means the amount set forth as the Total Commitment for all Lenders on Schedule C-1.”

        “‘Maximum Revolver A Amount’ means the amount set forth as the Revolver A Commitment for all Lenders on Schedule C-1, which is zero.”

        “‘Maximum Revolver B Amount’ means the amount set forth as the Revolver B Commitment for all Lenders on Schedule C-1.”

        1.2     Section 1.1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by inserting the definition of the terms: “Fixed Charges” and “Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio” in their correct alphabetical position to read as follows:

  “‘Fixed Charges’ means with respect to Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the sum, without duplication, of (a) cash Interest Expense, (b) principal payments required to be paid during such period in respect of Indebtedness, and (c) all federal, state, and local income taxes actually paid in cash during such period.”  



2



  “‘Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio’ means, with respect to Borrower and its Subsidiaries for any period, the ratio of (i) EBITDA for such period minus unfinanced capital expenditures made (to the extent not already incurred in a prior period) or incurred during such period, to (ii) Fixed Charges for such period.”  

        1.3     Section 3.4 Term of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the first sentence thereof in its entirety and replacing such sentence with the following:

  “This Agreement shall become effective upon the execution and delivery hereof by Borrower, Agents, and the Lenders and shall continue in full force and effect for a term ending on October 31, 2005 (the “Maturity Date”).  

        1.4     Section 7.20 Financial Covenants of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting clauses subsections (a) and (b) thereof and replacing such subsections with the following:"

         “(a)    Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. Fail to maintain or achieve a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio, measured on a month-end basis, of at least the applicable ratio set forth in the following table for the cumulative period commencing on March 1, 2005 and ending on the date set forth opposite thereto:  

Applicable Ratio
Applicable Date
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
1.2 to 1.0
  March 31, 2005
  April 30, 2005
   May 31, 2005
   June 30, 2005
   July 31, 2005
  August 31, 2005
September 30, 2005
 October 31, 2005

         (b)    [Reserved.]”  

        1.5     On the Amendment Effective Date, no Letters of Credit are outstanding and the Letter of Credit Usage is zero. On and after the Amendment Effective Date, the Borrower shall not be entitled to request a Letter of Credit and no Lender or Agent shall have the obligation to arrange for or issue a Letter of Credit.

        1.6     Schedule C-1 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting such schedule in it entirety and replacing such schedule with the revised Schedule C-1 to Loan Agreement, a copy of which is attached hereto as Exhibit E.



3



        SECTION 2     Consent and Waiver.

                        (a)     Notwithstanding anything else to the contrary in the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Document, pursuant to the requests by the Borrower and by NCI, but subject to satisfaction of the conditions set forth in subsection (b) below and in Section 9 hereof, and in reliance upon the representations and warranties of the Borrower and the Guarantors set forth herein and in the Loan Agreement, the Required Revolver A Lenders and the Required Lenders hereby consent to the Northland Asset Sale and the Concentrate Sale (collectively, the “Asset Sales”) and waive any Event of Default that would otherwise arise under Section 8.2(c) of the Loan Agreement as a result of a breach of Sections 5.11, 7.3(c), 7.4 and 8.3 of the Loan Agreement, by reason of the Asset Sales.

                        (b)     The consent and waiver set forth in subsection (a) above are conditioned upon the effectiveness of the Amendment pursuant to Section 9 and the following conditions related to the Northland Asset Sale:

            (i)    the Asset Sales shall have been consummated on the Amendment Effective Date;

            (ii)    the consideration paid by Buyer to Borrower on the Closing Date in connection with the Asset Sales shall be no less than an amount equal to the sum of (A) $8,500,000 (exclusive of $500,000 to be held in escrow for adjustments to be paid to Buyer) and (B) the Preliminary Adjustment (as defined in the Northland Purchase Agreement), if any, paid by Buyer to Borrower on the Closing Date; such amount (net of closing costs including broker fees, consulting fees, attorneys fees and taxes, the “Net Sale Proceeds”) shall in no event be less than $9,000,000 and shall be delivered directly to the Administrative Agent in cash or other immediately available funds; and

            (iii)    prior to or concurrently with the consummation of the Asset Sales, the Borrower shall deliver to each Lender a true and correct copy of (A) the fully executed Northland Purchase Agreement, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, (B) the fully executed Concentrate Agreement, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto and (C) the fully executed Transition Services Agreement (the “Transition Services Agreement”) dated the date hereof by and between the Borrower and Buyer, together with all schedules and exhibits thereto, each of (A), (B) and (C) shall be certified by an officer of the Borrower, and (D) each other material agreement, instrument or other document to be executed and delivered in connection therewith.

                        (c)    The consents and waivers in this Section 2 shall be effective only in this specific instance and for the specific purposes set forth herein and do not allow for any other or further departure from the terms and conditions of the Loan Agreement or any other Loan Documents, which terms and conditions shall remain in full force and effect. For the avoidance of doubt, the Excluded Assets (as defined in the Northland Purchase Agreement) of the Borrower and NCI shall continue to be owned by Borrower and NCI, respectively, and subject to the security interest of the Collateral Agent for benefit of the Lenders in such Excluded Assets.



4



        SECTION 3    Termination and Release. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 2(b) hereof and in Section 9 hereof, the Lenders hereby agree as follows:

                        (a)     upon the consummation of the Asset Sales, in accordance with the Northland Purchase Agreement and the Concentrate Agreement (collectively, the “Sales Agreements), any and all Liens or other charges or encumbrances on, and all security interests in, the Northland Purchased Assets, the NCI Purchased Assets and the Purchased Concentrate (collectively, the “Purchased Assets”) in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders or in favor of any Lender arising under the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, but excluding any Liens or other charges or encumbrances on, and any security interests in the Excluded Assets in favor of Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Lenders or in favor of any Lender, are automatically released and terminated without any further action on the part of the Lenders;

                        (b)     upon the consummation of the Asset Sales in accordance with the Sales Agreements, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders authorize the Borrower and/or the Buyer to file UCC-3 Financing Statement Amendments in the form of Exhibit F hereto, for the limited purpose of releasing the Lien of the Lenders on the Purchased Assets (but not any Excluded Assets), but without representation, warranty or recourse of any kind to the Agents or the Lenders and at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower;

                        (c)     upon the consummation of the Northland Asset Sale in accordance with the Northland Purchase Agreement, the Collateral Agent and the Lenders authorize the Borrower and/or the Buyer to file the releases of security interests in trademarks in the form of Exhibit G hereto, for the limited purpose of releasing the security interests of the Lenders on the Northland Purchased Assets consisting of trademark rights and the NCI Purchased Assets consisting of trademark rights (but not any Excluded Assets), but without representation, warranty or recourse of any kind to the Agents or the Lenders and at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower; and

                        (d)     the Lenders will, at the request of the Borrower or Buyer, authorize and/or execute such additional instruments and other writings, and take such other actions as the Borrower or Buyer may reasonably request to effect or evidence, to the extent set forth herein, the termination of the liens and other charges and encumbrances on, and security interests in, the Purchased Assets (but not any Excluded Assets), but at the sole cost and expense of the Borrower or Buyer and without representation, warranty or recourse of any kind to the Agents or the Lenders.

        SECTION 4     Application of Net Sale Proceeds and Reduction of Commitments. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Loan Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.4(d))or any other Loan Document, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Required Revolver A Lenders, the Required Lenders and the Borrower and NCI hereby agree that Borrower and NCI shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent payment in cash or cash equivalents of the Net Sale Proceeds and the Administrative Agent shall apply such proceeds, for application as follows:



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                        (a)     first, to the outstanding principal amount of the A Advances until paid in full, together with the accrued and unpaid interest thereon and all costs, fees and charges of the Lenders with a Revolver A Commitment, and simultaneously therewith, the Revolver A Commitment of WFF shall be reduced to zero and terminated;

                        (b)     second, to the outstanding costs, fees, charges and expenses of the Administrative Agent in connection with its duties as Administrative Agent;

                        (c)     third, to outstanding principal amount of the B Advances until paid in full, together with the accrued and unpaid interest thereon, and simultaneously therewith, the Revolver B Commitment of Ableco shall be reduced to $2,500,000; and

                        (d)     fourth, to the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan, until the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan shall be equal to or less than $12,000,000, such payments to be applied to the scheduled amortization payments of the Term Loan in the order of maturity.

        The remainder, if any, of the Net Sale Proceeds may be retained by Borrower for working capital purposes.

        SECTION 5     Application of Final Adjustment to Purchase Price. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Loan Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 2.4(c)(iv))or any other Loan Document, on the earlier of the Settlement Date (as defined in the Northland Purchase Agreement) or August 31, 2005, Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Administrative Agent payment in cash or cash equivalents of an amount equal to the sum of (A) $500,000 less any amount paid by Borrower to Buyer as a Final Adjustment (as defined in the Northland Purchase Agreement) and (B) the amount, if any, paid by the Buyer to the Borrower as a Final Adjustment (as defined in the Northland Purchase Agreement), such payment to be applied to the outstanding principal amount of the Term Loan in the order of maturity.

        SECTION 6     Termination and Release of WFF as Lender.

                        (a)     Upon the payment in full of the A Advances, together with the accrued and unpaid interest thereon pursuant to Section 4(a) hereof, (i)the financing arrangements as between WFF and Borrower pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are hereby terminated, canceled and of no further force and effect, except for those provisions of the Loan Documents which by their respective terms survive termination, and (ii) WFF shall have no further obligation to make any Advance, provide any Letters of Credit, loans, advances or other financial accommodations or have any other duties or responsibilities in connection with the Loan Documents.

                        (b)     Borrower and Guarantors hereby release, discharge and acquit WFF, and its officers, directors, attorneys, agents and employees and its successors and assigns, from all obligations to Borrower and Guarantors (and their respective successors and assigns) and from any and all claims, demands, debts, accounts, contracts, liabilities, actions and causes of actions, whether in law or in equity, that Borrower or any Guarantor at any time had or has, or that its successors and assigns hereafter can or may have against WFF, its officers, directors, attorneys, agents or employees and its and their respective successors and assigns.



6



        SECTION 7     Resignation of Administrative Agent; Appointment of Administrative Agent. WFF hereby gives notice to the Lenders, Borrower and Guarantors of its resignation as Administrative Agent as of the Amendment Effective Date. Ableco hereby agrees to accept appointment as Administrative Agent as of the Amendment Effective Date. The Collateral Agent, Lenders, Borrower and Guarantors hereby (a) waive the 45-prior-day notice required in connection with the resignation of an agent pursuant to the Loan Agreement and (b) agree that as of the Amendment Effective Date, (i) Ableco is hereby appointed Administrative Agent and shall succeed to and become vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties that WFF had as Administrative Agent and (ii) WFF is hereby discharged from its duties and obligations under the Loan Documents as Administrative Agent.

        SECTION 8     Representations, Warranties and Covenants. In addition to the continuing representations, warranties and covenants heretofore or hereafter made by Borrower and Guarantors to the Agents and Lenders pursuant to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents, Borrower hereby represents, warrants and covenants with and to the Agents and Lenders as follows (which representations, warranties and covenants are continuing and shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and shall be incorporated into and made a part of the Loan Documents):

                        (a)     No Event of Default or act, condition or event, which with notice or passage of time or both, would constitute and Event of Default, exists on the date of this Amendment (after giving effect to the amendments to the Loan Agreement set forth herein); and

                        (b)     This Amendment has been duly executed and delivered by Borrower and each Guarantor and is in full force and effect as of the date hereof, and the agreements and obligations of Borrower and each Guarantor contained herein constitute its legal, valid and binding obligations, enforceable against it in accordance with the terms hereof.

                        (c)     The execution, delivery and performance by Borrower of the Sales Agreements and the Transition Services Agreement do not and will not conflict with, result in a breach of, or constitute (with due notice or lapse of time or both) a default under any Ocean Spray Document including, without limitation, the Ocean Spray Toll Processing Agreement.

        SECTION 9     Conditions to Effectiveness. The effectiveness of this Amendment shall be subject to the following, the satisfaction of which shall be determined by the Agents in each of their sole judgments (the first date upon which all such conditions shall have been satisfied being herein called the “Amendment Effective Date”):

                        (a)     the receipt by the Agents of an original or faxed executed copy of this Amendment, duly authorized, executed and delivered by Borrower, each Guarantor, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent and each Lender;

                        (b)     after giving effect to the amendments to the Loan Agreement contained herein, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and



7



                        (c)     all legal matters incident to this Amendment shall be satisfactory to the Lenders and their counsel.

        Notwithstanding the above, if at any time, it shall be determined that the condition set forth in clause (b) above has not been satisfied, the termination and release of WFF as a Lender pursuant to Section 6 and all other provisions thereof in favor of or for the benefit of any Agent or any Lender and the resignation of WFF as Administrative Agent pursuant to Section 7 and all other provisions thereof in favor of or for the benefit of any Agent or any Lender shall remain in effect. Further, if at any time, it shall be determined that the condition set forth in clause (b) above has not been satisfied, the Agents, Lender and Borrower hereby agree that (i) the termination and reduction of commitments pursuant to Section 4 and all other provisions thereof in favor of or for the benefit of any Agent or any Lender remain effective and (ii) no Agent or Lender shall be required to disgorge any payment made by Borrower to such Agent or Lender, all such payments shall be final, unconditional and non-refundable in accordance with the priorities of payments set forth in Section 4.

        SECTION 10    Deposit Account and Blocked Account Control Agreement.

                        (a)     Borrower hereby agrees to make its best effort to, if not on the date hereof, promptly thereafter and in any event no later than four (4) Business Days after the date hereof, (i) provide confirmation in writing that Borrower has (A) established a deposit account (the “Deposit Account”) in Borrower’s name with U.S. Bank National Association (the “Bank”) into which account all payments mailed to the existing lockbox at the Bank shall be deposited daily and (B) executed and delivered to the Bank an Automated Standing Transfer Authorization directing the Bank to transfer daily all cleared deposits to such account as Ableco may direct and (ii) with the consent of the Bank, enter into a Blocked Account Control Agreement (with Lockbox Services) with Ableco, granting sole control of the Deposit Account to Ableco as Agent (the “Blocked Account Agreement”).

                        (b)    WFF hereby agrees, at the request of Ableco, to deliver to the Bank a termination and release sufficient to effect the termination of the Lockbox and Operating Procedural Agreement, dated November 5, 2001 (“Original Lockbox Agreement”), between the Bank, WFF and the Borrower. If Ableco shall not have made such a request on or prior to the third (3rd) Business day hereafter, WFF shall on the fourth (4th) Business Day hereafter deliver such a termination and release to the Bank. WFF further agrees that until the termination of the Original Lockbox Agreement, subject to Section 4 hereof, WFF shall transfer all deposits subject the Original Lockbox Agreement to such account as Ableco may direct.

        SECTION 11    Effect of this Amendment. Except as modified pursuant hereto, no other changes or modifications to the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are intended or implied and in all other respects the Loan Agreement and the other Loan Documents are hereby specifically ratified, restated and confirmed by the Borrower and Guarantors as of the effective date hereof. To the extent of any conflict between the terms of this Amendment and any of the Loan Documents, the terms of this Amendment shall control. Each Borrower and Guarantor confirms and agrees that (a) the Loan Agreement, as amended hereby, the other Loan Documents and this Amendment shall be read and be construed as one agreement and all references in any Loan Document to “the Loan Agreement”, “thereto”, “thereof”, “thereunder” or words of like import referring to the Loan Agreement shall mean the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment, and (b) confirms and agrees that to the extent that any Loan Document purports to assign or pledge to the Agent or any Lender, or to grant to the Agent or any Lender a Lien on any collateral as security for the Obligations of such Borrower from time to time existing in respect of the Loan Agreement and the Loan Documents, such pledge, assignment and/or grant of a Lien is hereby ratified and confirmed in all respects.



8



        SECTION 12    Further Assurances. The parties hereto shall execute and deliver such additional documents and take such additional actions as may be necessary or desirable to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Amendment.

        SECTION 13    GOVERNING LAW. THE VALIDITY, INTERPRETATION AND ENFORCEMENT OF THIS AMENDMENT AND ANY DISPUTE ARISING OUT OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE PARTIES HERETO, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, TORT, EQUITY OR OTHERWISE, SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK (WITHOUT GIVING EFFECT TO PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS OF LAW).

        SECTION 14    Binding Effect. This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of each of the parties hereto and their respective successors and assigns.

        SECTION 15    Miscellaneous.

        15.1     This Amendment may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

        15.2     Section and paragraph headings herein are included for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this Amendment for any other purpose.

        15.3     Borrower and Guarantors hereby acknowledge and agree that this Amendment constitutes a “Loan Document” under the Loan Agreement. Accordingly, it shall be an Event of Default under the Loan Agreement if (i) any representation or warranty made by Borrower under or in connection with this Amendment shall have been untrue, false or misleading in any material respect when made, or (ii) Borrower shall fail to perform or observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in this Amendment.

        15.4     The Borrower will pay on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Agents and the Lenders in connection with the preparation, execution and delivery of this Amendment and all actions after the date hereof related to this Amendment and the Loan Documents including, without limitation, the reasonable fees, disbursements and other charges of Otterbourg, Steindler, Houston & Rosen, P.C., counsel to the Administrative Agent and WFF and Schulte Roth & Zabel LLP, counsel to the Collateral Agent and Ableco.

[SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]











BORROWER:

Northland Cranberries, Inc.


By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
Title:  Chief Executive Officer and Treasurer


GUARANTORS:

NCI Foods, LLC


By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
Title:  President


Northland Insurance Center, Inc.


By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
Title:  Vice President


Wildhawk, Inc.


By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
Title:  Vice President



[SIGNATURES CONTINUED ON NEXT PAGE]









[SIGNATURES CONTINUED FROM PREVIOUS PAGE]



AGENTS AND LENDERS:

Wells Fargo Foothill Inc., as
Administrative Agent, Lender, Required
Revolver A Lender, resigning
Administrative Agent and resigning Lender


By:    /s/ Dennis Rebman
Title:  Vice President


Ableco Finance LLC, as Collateral
Agent, Lender, Required Lender, and
newly appointed Administrative Agent


By:    /s/ Eric Miller
Title:  Senior Vice President












EX-10.1 3 sdc904b.htm ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT







ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

APPLE & EVE, LLC

AND

NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.

FEBRUARY 22, 2005










TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF PURCHASED ASSETS
              1.1 Basic Transaction
              1.2 Assumed Liabilities
 
ARTICLE II BASIC TRANSACTION
              2.1 Purchase Price
              2.2 Purchase Price Adjustment
              2.3 Closing
              2.4 Allocation of Purchase Price
              2.5 Closing Deliveries
 
ARTICLE III REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY
              3.1 Organization and Qualification
              3.2 Authority 10 
              3.3 No Violation; Consents 10 
              3.4 Title to Purchased Assets; Condition of Assets 11 
              3.5 Broker's Fees 11 
              3.6 Legal Compliance; Permits 11 
              3.7 Trade Rights 11 
              3.8 Tax Matters 12 
              3.9 Contracts 12 
              3.10 Trade Accounts Receivable 13 
              3.11 Inventory 13 
              3.12 Major Customers and Suppliers 13 
              3.13 Litigation 13 
              3.14 Labor Matters 14 
              3.15 Purchased Assets 15 
              3.16 Environmental Matters 15 
              3.17 Insurance 16 
              3.18 Financial Information 16 
              3.19 Undisclosed Liabilities 16 
              3.20 Limitations on Representations and Warranties 16 
 
ARTICLE IV REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER 17 
              4.1 Organization and Qualification 17 
              4.2 Authority 17 
              4.3 No Violation 17 
              4.4 Finder's Fees 18 
              4.5 Litigation 18 
              4.6 Funding 18 
              4.7 Company Stock 18 
 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS
(Continued)


Page
 
ARTICLE V FURTHER AGREEMENTS 18 
              5.1 Confidentiality 18 
              5.2 Public Disclosure 18 
              5.3 Preservation of Books and Records 18 
              5.4 Further Actions; Filings 19 
              5.5 Employees; Employment and Benefit Arrangements 20 
              5.6 Funding 21 
              5.7 Assignment of Purchased Contracts 21 
              5.8 Transition Period 21 
              5.9 Corporate Name 21 
 
ARTICLE VI [INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK] 22 
 
ARTICLE VII DEFINED TERMS 22 
 
ARTICLE VIII INDEMNIFICATION 25 
              8.1 Company's Indemnity 25 
              8.2 Buyer's Indemnity 26 
              8.3 Provisions Regarding Indemnities 26 
 
ARTICLE IX CONFIDENTIALITY 28 
              9.1 Definition of Confidential Information 28 
              9.2 Use of Confidential Information 29 
              9.3 Confidentiality 29 
              9.4 Legal Requirement to Disclose 29 
 
ARTICLE X GENERAL PROVISIONS 30 
            10.1 Notices 30 
            10.2 Interpretation 30 
            10.3 Counterparts 31 
            10.4 Entire Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest 31 
            10.5 Expenses 31 
            10.6 Tax Matters 31 
            10.7 Amendment 31 
            10.8 Severability 31 
            10.9 Remedies Cumulative 32 
            10.10 Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial 32 
            10.11 Rules of Construction 32 
            10.12 No Right of Offset 32 
            10.13 Further Assurances 32 
            10.14 Deliveries to Buyer 32 
            10.15 No Third Party Beneficiaries 32 


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EXHIBITS


Exhibit A -   Form of Bill of Sale -- Purchased Assets
Exhibit B -   Form of Assignment and Assumption Agreement for Assumed Liabilities
Exhibit C -   Form of Cranberry Concentrate Supply Agreement
Exhibit D -   Form of Transition Services Agreement
Exhibit E -   Form of Opinion of Company Counsel




















-iii-



ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

        This ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT (the “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this February 22, 2005, by and between Apple & Eve, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company (“Buyer”), on the one hand, and Northland Cranberries, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (the “Company”) and NCI Foods, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“NCI”), on the other hand.

RECITALS

        WHEREAS, subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, Buyer desires to purchase from the Company (subject to the assumption of certain liabilities), and the Company desires to sell to Buyer (subject to the assumption of certain liabilities), certain of the assets of the Company for the consideration set forth herein.

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the representations, warranties, covenants and agreements set forth herein, and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree as follows:

ARTICLE I
PURCHASE AND SALE OF PURCHASED ASSETS

        1.1.    Basic Transaction.

                   (a)    Purchased Assets. On the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement, Buyer shall purchase from the Company, and the Company shall sell, convey, assign, transfer and deliver to Buyer on the Closing Date, all of the Company’s right, title and interest in and to the following assets, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens (the “Purchased Assets”):

                             (i)    All inventories of raw materials (excluding inventories of fresh cranberries, frozen cranberries and cranberry juice concentrate, but including dried and chocolate-coated cranberries), work-in-process and finished goods held for sale by the Juice Division (excluding all Northland branded finished goods packaged in 64-ounce grip-bottle containers), together with all related labels, bottles and other bottling and packaging materials owned by the Company on the Closing Date and located in the facilities specified in Schedule 1.1(a)(i) (the “Inventory”);

                             (ii)    All the Company’s and NCI’s interest in the Trade Rights used or held for use in connection with the business and operation of the Juice Division and set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii)attached hereto (the “Juice Division Trade Rights”), including without limitation those assignable Trade Rights assigned to Buyer pursuant to the Trademark License Agreement, dated December 29, 1998, by and between the Company and Seneca Foods Corporation (the “Seneca License Agreement”) and those trademarks held in the name of NCI (the “NCI Marks”). As used herein, the term “Trade Rights” shall mean and include, with respect to those items listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii): (i) trademark rights, business identifiers, trade dress, service marks, trade names, and brand names; (ii) copyrights and the underlying works of authorship; (iii) patents and all proprietary rights associated therewith; (iv) contracts or agreements granting any right, title, license or privilege under the intellectual property rights of any third party, to the extent assignable; and (v) all registrations of any of the foregoing, all applications therefor and all goodwill associated with any of the foregoing;



                             (iii)    All Trade Accounts Receivable of the Company related exclusively to the Juice Division;

                             (iv)    the list of those customers of the Juice Division set forth in Schedule 1.1(a)(iv) hereto (the “Customer List”) and all goodwill associated therewith;

                             (v)    all of the Company’s rights in, to and under all contracts, purchase orders and sales orders of the Company pertaining exclusively to the Juice Division, including without limitation the contracts set forth in Schedule 1.1(a)(v) hereto (the “Purchased Contracts”);

                             (vi)    the personal property set forth on Schedule 1.1(a)(vi) hereto;

                             (vii)    all sales literature, promotional literature, catalogs and similar materials of Company associated exclusively with the Juice Division, including but not limited to signs, signage and product memorabilia relating to the Juice Division Trade Rights;

                             (viii)    all transferable licenses, permits, approvals, certifications and listings of Company relating exclusively to the Juice Division; and

                             (ix)    the records and files of the Company relating exclusively to the aforementioned assets of the Juice Division, including, without limitation, transferring invoices, customer and vendor lists and operating and marketing plans, and all other documents, tapes, discs, programs or other embodiments of information of the Juice Division.

                   (b)    Excluded Assets. Notwithstanding the foregoing, all properties, assets and rights of the Company other than the Purchased Assets (the “Excluded Assets”) are expressly excluded from the purchase and sale contemplated hereby and, as such, are not included in the Purchased Assets, including, but not limited to: (i) all cash and cash equivalents; (ii) all of the marshes owned by the Company (including the improvements and equipment located thereon and any contractual rights related thereto); (iii) the fresh cranberry, frozen cranberry and cranberry juice concentrate inventories of the Company; (iv) all certificates of deposit, shares of stock, securities, bonds, debentures, evidences of indebtedness, interests in joint ventures, partnerships, limited liability companies and other entities; (v) all personnel records other than Transferring Employee Records, provided that the Company may, in its discretion, retain copies of any or all of the Transferring Employee Records; (vi) the consideration delivered by Buyer to the Company pursuant to this Agreement; (vii) the Company’s franchise to be a corporation, its articles of incorporation, corporate seal, stock books, minute books and other corporate records; (viii) all federal, state and local income and franchise tax credits and tax refund claims and associated returns and records; (ix) all of the equipment, office supplies and personal property of the Company, including without limitation those items listed in Schedule 1.1(b) hereto; and (x) all contracts not specified in Schedule 1.1(a)(v) hereto.



2



        1.2.    Assumed Liabilities. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of this Agreement, Buyer agrees to assume, satisfy, perform, pay and discharge all of the following Liabilities (“Assumed Liabilities”):

                   (a)    all Liabilities and obligations associated with any open purchase orders and contracts with respect to sales of juice products related to the Brands (excluding the cranberry juice concentrate, fresh cranberry and frozen cranberry inventories of the Company), which open purchase orders and contracts are set forth on Schedule 1.2(a) hereto;

                   (b)    all Liabilities and obligations associated with any open purchase orders and contracts with vendors and suppliers of raw materials related to the Juice Division Brands, which open purchase orders and contracts are set forth on Schedule 1.2(b) hereto;

                   (c)    all Liabilities and obligations associated with the Purchased Contracts and arising after the Closing Date;

                   (d)    all Trade Accounts Payable;

                   (e)    all Liabilities and obligations of the Company relating to coupons issued by the Company prior to the Closing Date and validly redeemed on or after the date nine (9) weeks from the Closing Date (the “Assumed Coupon Liabilities”);

                   (f)    all Liabilities and obligations of the Company associated with any product liability, breach of warranty or similar claim for injury to person or property asserted after the Closing Date and related to the Juice Division, but only to the extent based on events occurring after the Closing Date;

                   (g)    all Liabilities and obligations associated with the Business Employees employed by the Buyer after the Closing Date that arise after the Closing Date and relate to Buyer’s employment of such employees, except as otherwise provided in and subject to the agreement of the parties set forth in Section 5.5 hereof;

                   (h)    all Liabilities and obligations associated with the failure by Buyer, the Juice Division or the Purchased Assets to comply with any law, regulation, statute, ordinance or treaty after the Closing, subject to the agreement of the parties set forth in Section 5.4(c) hereof; and

                   (i)    Liens that are considered Permitted Liens.

        All other Liabilities (the “Excluded Liabilities”) shall remain with and be discharged by the Company. For purposes of this Agreement “Excluded Liabilities” shall include without limitation all Liabilities and obligations relating to those coupons issued by the Company prior to the Closing Date which are redeemed in accordance with their terms before the date nine (9) weeks after the Closing Date, which coupons the Company shall discharge and pay pursuant to the terms thereof. Anything to the contrary herein notwithstanding, Buyer shall be and remain liable for all coupons issued after the Effective Time.



3



ARTICLE II
BASIC TRANSACTION

        2.1.    Purchase Price.

                   (a)    The aggregate purchase price for the Purchased Assets (the “Purchase Price”) shall be: (i) an amount in cash equal to Nine Million Dollars ($9,000,000) (the “Base Consideration”), subject to adjustment as provided in Section 2.2 below, and (ii) the assumption of the Assumed Liabilities. Of the Purchase Price, $500,000 shall be placed in escrow for a period ending on August 31, 2005, such amount to be used exclusively for the payment of any Final Adjustment (as defined below) requiring payment to Buyer. The total escrow amount of $500,000 shall be held pursuant to the terms of the Escrow Agreement attached as Exhibit 2.1. The amount placed in escrow by the Company pursuant to this Section 2.1 shall constitute Buyer’s sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any Final Adjustment to the Purchase Price under this Agreement. With respect to any upward Final Adjustment to the Purchase Price under this Agreement, Buyer shall pay to the Company an upward adjustment in an amount not to exceed $500,000, and such payment shall constitute the Company’s sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any Final Adjustment to the Purchase Price under this Agreement.

        2.2.    Purchase Price Adjustment.

                   (a)    Preliminary Adjustment. The Purchase Price shall be adjusted, on a dollar-for-dollar basis, by the extent to which the Company’s Working Capital attributable to the Juice Division, as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet (as such terms are defined below), varies from Two Million Five Hundred Thousand Dollars ($2,500,000). At the Closing, either: (i) Buyer shall deduct from the Base Consideration the amount, if any, by which the Working Capital is less than $2,500,000, as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet; or (ii) Buyer shall pay to Company, in addition to the Base Consideration, the amount, if any, by which the Working Capital exceeds $2,500,000, as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet. The amount of the adjustment, if any, made to the Base Consideration pursuant to this Section 2.2(a) shall be referred to herein as the “Preliminary Adjustment.”

                   (b)    Final Adjustment. On the first (1st) business day following the final determination of the Final Closing Balance Sheet (as hereinafter defined) (such date being hereinafter referred to as the “Settlement Date”), either: (i) the Company shall pay to Buyer the amount, if any, by which the Working Capital as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet is less than the Working Capital as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, together with interest on such amount being paid from the Closing Date to the date of the payment at the Applicable Rate, or (ii) Buyer shall pay to the Company the amount, if any, by which the Working Capital as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet exceeds the Working Capital as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, together with interest on such amount being paid from the Closing Date to the date of the payment at the Applicable Rate. The amount, if any, paid by Buyer or the Company pursuant to this Section 2.2(b) shall be referred to herein as the “Final Adjustment.” For example, if Working Capital is $50,000 below $2,500,000 on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, and ends up $50,000 above $2,500,000 on the Final Closing Balance Sheet, Buyer will pay the Company $100,000 as a Final Adjustment (i.e., $50,000 because of the Preliminary Adjustment of the Purchase Price downward and then another $50,000).



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                   (c)    Definition of Working Capital. The term “Working Capital” shall mean, without duplication, the excess of: (i) all Trade Accounts Receivable and Inventory of the Company attributable to the Juice Division over (ii) all Trade Accounts Payable of the Company attributable to the Juice Division, in each case determined as of the Closing Date in form and detail identical to, and in its accounting principles and policies consistent in every respect with, the Company’s past practices, except as specifically provided herein. As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                             (i)    Inventory shall be valued at the Company’s standard cost and shall include overhead capitalization, less an adjustment of $0.20 per case for finished goods, in each case as reflected in the bill of materials and the Company’s other books and records as of the Closing Date, which books and records shall be in form and detail identical to, and in its accounting principles and policies consistent in every respect with, the Company’s past practices. Notwithstanding the immediately preceding sentence, the total Inventory value shall, for purposes of determining Working Capital, be reduced by $150,000 in the aggregate, in both the Preliminary Balance Sheet and the Final Closing Balance Sheet. All Inventory which is fit for human consumption as of the Closing Date shall be valued, in both the Preliminary Balance Sheet and the Final Closing Balance Sheet, at standard cost, less an adjustment of $0.20 per case for finished goods, and otherwise pursuant to the terms hereof as of the Closing Date.

                             (ii)    The term “Trade Accounts Receivable” shall mean all amounts owing to Company on accounts receivable related exclusively to the Juice Division, which shall include without limitation: (i) balances included on the Accounts Receivable Aging Report for the “01 Grocery,” “03 International” and “04 Food Service” categories as of the Closing Date, (ii) military receivable balances per the Dixon Marketing, Inc. Accounts Receivable Aging Report as of the Closing Date, (iii) a cash discount reserve equal to two percent (2%) of the net receivable balances, (iv) all prepaid expenses, which prepaid expenses shall be accounted for consistently in every respect with the Company’s past practices, and (v) a bad debt reserve equal to the amount of those Trade Accounts Receivables as of the Closing Date which are not collected within 75 days of the Closing Date. The bad debt reserve referenced in subsection (v) above shall be reduced by amounts already reflected in the cash discount reserve and the invalid deduction reserve.

                             (iii)    The term “Trade Accounts Payable” shall mean the payables as set forth on Schedule 2.2(c)(iii), which shall include accrued and unpaid market development funds and slotting fees (collectively, the “MDF”), vendor credits and accrued and unpaid commissions related exclusively to the Juice Division as of the Closing Date. Trade Accounts Payable shall not include any accounting for coupons issued by the Company prior to Closing. Buyer covenants that it shall, on and after the Closing Date, use commercially reasonable efforts, in consultation with the Company, to collect all MDF deductions taken by customers of the Juice Division which are unauthorized under the trade spending commitments set forth in Exhibit 1.1(a)(V)(C) attached to the Company Disclosure Schedule (the “Trade Spending Commitments”). Buyer shall, concurrently with the delivery of the Closing Balance Sheet, provide Company with a written summary of all MDF deductions taken by customers of the Juice Division between the Closing Date and the delivery of the balance sheet referred to in Section 2.2(d)(ii) below. To the extent the Company reasonably believes such MDF deductions are unauthorized under the Trade Spending Commitments, Buyer shall, and hereby does, transfer, assign and subrogate to Company all rights of reimbursement and collection with respect to such Juice Division customers for all such unauthorized MDF deductions. In seeking such reimbursement from Juice Division customers related to unauthorized deductions neither NCI nor its agents will represent themselves as affiliated with, or an agent of, the Buyer or the Juice Division.



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                   (d)    Determination of Working Capital.

                             (i)    Preliminary Balance Sheet. For purposes of determining the Working Capital and the Purchase Price payable by the Buyer at the Closing, on or before the Closing Date, the Company has delivered to Buyer a balance sheet of the Juice Division (the “Preliminary Balance Sheet”) as of the close of business on the business day immediately prior to the Closing Date (hereinafter the “Effective Time”), which Preliminary Balance Sheet represents the Company’s reasonable estimate of the Working Capital as of the Effective Time, such balance sheet to be in form and detail identical to, and in its accounting principles and policies consistent in every respect with, the Company’s past practices and accompanied by schedules setting forth in reasonable detail all assets and liabilities included therein. Such balance sheet or the accompanying schedules contains sufficient detail of the Inventory, Trade Accounts Receivable and Trade Accounts Payable for the determination of Working Capital.

                             (ii)    The Final Closing Balance Sheet shall be prepared as follows. Within seventy-five (75) days after the Closing Date, Buyer shall deliver to Company a balance sheet of the Juice Division as of the Effective Time, such balance sheet to be in form and detail identical to, and in its accounting principles and policies consistent in every respect, with the Company’s past practices and accompanied by schedules setting forth in reasonable detail all assets and liabilities included therein. The balance sheet shall be accompanied by detailed schedules of the Inventory, Trade Accounts Receivable and Trade Accounts Payable, and by a report setting forth the amount of Working Capital reflected in the balance sheet and the amount of any further adjustment to the Purchase Price to be paid and by whom pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof. The Inventory as reflected on the Final Closing Balance Sheet shall be as reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, except to the extent the physical inventory taken by the parties on or about February 11, 2005 diverges from the Preliminary Balance Sheet. The MDF shall reflect actually incurred deductions or payments (provided that such payments are in accordance with the Trade Spending Commitments) in the time between the Preliminary and Closing Balance Sheet, plus any unused MDF from the Preliminary Balance Sheet. All actual MDF deductions are subject to the unauthorized deductions of Section 2.2(c)(iii) above.

                             (iii)    Within thirty (30) days following the delivery of the balance sheet referred to in Section 2.2(d)(ii) above, the Company may object to any of the information contained in said balance sheet or accompanying schedules which could affect the necessity or amount of any payment by Buyer or the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(b) hereof. Any such objection shall be made in writing and shall state the Company’s determination of the amount of the Working Capital as of the Effective Time.

                             (iv)    In the event of a dispute or disagreement relating to the Final Closing Balance Sheet which Buyer and the Company are unable to resolve, either party may elect to have all such disputes or disagreements resolved by Grant Thornton or, failing Grant Thornton’s willingness to so serve, such other independent accounting firm of nationally recognized standing as may be mutually selected by Buyer and the Company (the “Independent Accounting Firm”). The parties agree to instruct the Independent Accounting Firm to calculate the Working Capital of the Juice Division as of the Effective Time and to determine the amount of the Final Adjustment based on the books and records of the Company existing as of the Effective Time (and not on any independent investigation by the Independent Accounting Firm), and using accounting principles and policies consistent in every respect with the Company’s past practices. The Independent Accounting Firm’s calculation of the Working Capital and determination of the Final Adjustment shall be final and binding on the parties for purposes hereof; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any provision to the contrary contained herein: the parties agree to instruct the Independent Accounting Firm that the Working Capital as determined by the Independent Accounting Firm shall be no less than the Working Capital as determined by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.2(d)(ii) above and no greater than the Working Capital as determined by the Company pursuant to Section 2.2(d)(iii) above. The Independent Accounting Firm shall be instructed to use every reasonable effort to perform its services within fifteen (15) days of submission of the balance sheet to it and, in any case, as soon as practicable after such submission.



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                             (v)    Buyer agrees to permit the Company, the Company’s accountants, and their respective representatives, during normal business hours, to have reasonable access to, and to examine and make copies of, all books and records of the Juice Division, including but not limited to the books, records, schedules, work papers and audit programs of Buyer and Buyer’s accountants and access to representatives of Buyer’s accountants, necessary in order to review the balance sheet and Working Capital calculation delivered by Buyer or otherwise used or useful in the preparation of the Final Closing Balance Sheet in accordance with this Agreement. Buyer agrees that, following the Closing through the date that the Working Capital becomes final and binding on the parties hereto in accordance with the terms of this Agreement, it will not take any actions, or permit any actions to be taken, with respect to any accounting books, records, policies or procedures on or from which the Working Capital is to be based or derived that are inconsistent with the Company’s past practice or that would impede or delay the preparation of the Final Closing Balance Sheet or the determination of the Working Capital in the manner and utilizing the methods required by this Agreement. In addition, the Company’s accountants shall have the opportunity to observe the taking of any physical inventory in connection with the preparation of such balance sheet.

                             (vi)    The fees and expenses of the Independent Accounting Firm shall be allocated to the parties as determined by the Accounting Firm based upon the relative success (in terms of percentages) of each party’s claim. For example, if the Independent Accounting Firm’s calculation of the Working Capital and determination of the Final Adjustment reflects a 60-40 compromise of the parties’ claims, the Independent Accounting Firm would allocate expenses 40% to the party whose claim was determined to be 60% successful and 60% to the party whose claim was determined to be 40% successful.

                             (vii)    As used in this Agreement, the term “Final Closing Balance Sheet” shall mean the balance sheet of the Juice Division as of the Effective Time as finally determined for purposes of this Article II, whether by acquiescence of the Company in the figures supplied by Buyer in accordance with Section 2.2(d)(ii), by negotiation and agreement of the parties or by the Independent Accounting Firm in accordance with Section 2.2(d)(iv).





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        2.3.    Closing.  The closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement (the “Closing”) shall take place at the offices of Foley & Lardner LLP, 777 East Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee, Wisconsin on the date hereof, or at such other time and place as is mutually agreeable to the parties. The date on which the Closing shall occur is referred to herein as the “Closing Date.

        2.4.    Allocation of Purchase Price.  The Company and Buyer shall jointly prepare an allocation of the Purchase Price among the Purchased Assets in accordance with Internal Revenue Code §1060 and Treasury regulations thereunder (and any similar provision of state, local or foreign law, as appropriate) within thirty (30) days after the final Working Capital Amount is finally determined pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof. The Company and Buyer shall report, act, and file Tax Returns (including, but not limited to Internal Revenue Service Form 8594) in all respects and for all purposes consistent with such allocation. Buyer and the Company shall timely and properly prepare, execute, file, and deliver all such documents, forms, and other information as the other party may reasonably request in preparing such allocation. Neither the Company nor Buyer shall take any position (whether in audits, tax returns, or otherwise) that is inconsistent with such allocation unless required to do so by applicable law.

        2.5.    Closing Deliveries.  

                   (a)    Deliveries of the Company. The Company shall deliver to Buyer at the Closing:

                             (i)    A bill of sale substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, duly executed and acknowledged by the Company, conveying to Buyer all of the Company’s right, title, and interest in the personal property included in the Purchased Assets;

                             (ii)    An assignment and assumption agreement (the “Assignment and Assumption Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B, duly executed by the Company, under which the Company assigns and Buyer assumes the Assumed Liabilities;

                             (iii)    An agreement for the supply of cranberry juice concentrate (the “Cranberry Concentrate Supply Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C, duly executed by the Company, under which the Company agrees to supply, and Buyer agrees to purchase, cranberry juice concentrate during the term thereof;

                             (iv)    An agreement for the provision of transition services (the “Transition Services Agreement”) substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D, duly executed by the Company, under which the Company agrees to supply, and Buyer agrees to pay for, certain transition services during the term thereof;

                             (v)    An assignment and assumption agreement, duly executed by the Company, NCI Foods, LLC, a Wisconsin limited liability company (“NCI”) and Seneca Foods Corporation, a New York corporation (“Seneca”), under which: (i) NCI assigns to Buyer and Buyer assumes all of NCI’s rights under the Seneca License Agreement and (ii) Seneca consents to the assignment of the Seneca License Agreement to Buyer;



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                             (vi)    All of the consents set forth on Schedule 2.5(a)(vi) hereto (the “Material Consents”);

                             (vii)    A copy of the resolution of the board of directors of the Company authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated hereby, and the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of the Company; and

                             (viii)    The opinion of Company counsel, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “E.”

                   (b)    Deliveries of Buyer. At the Closing, Buyer shall pay to the Company the Base Consideration, plus or minus the Preliminary Adjustment, such amounts payable by wire transfer of immediately available federal funds to such account or accounts at a bank or financial institution as the Company may specify to Buyer in writing. Buyer shall also have delivered to the Company at the Closing:

                             (i)    A copy of the resolution of the board of directors of Buyer authorizing the execution and performance of this Agreement and the other documents and agreements contemplated hereby, certified by the secretary or an assistant secretary of Buyer;

                             (ii)    The Assignment and Assumption Agreement duly executed by Buyer;

                             (iii)    The Cranberry Concentrate Supply Agreement duly executed by Buyer;

                             (iv)    The Transition Services Agreement, duly executed by Buyer.

ARTICLE III
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY

        The Company hereby represents and warrants to Buyer as of the date of this Agreement that the statements contained in this Article III are true and correct, subject to the exceptions set forth in the disclosure schedule delivered by the Company to Buyer concurrently with the execution of this Agreement and dated as of the date of this Agreement (the “Company Disclosure Schedule”). The Company Disclosure Schedule shall be arranged according to specific sections in this Agreement and shall provide exceptions to, or otherwise qualify in reasonable detail, the corresponding section in this Agreement and any other section in this Agreement where it is reasonably clear that the disclosure is intended to apply to such other section.

        3.1.    Organization and Qualification.  The Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in active status under the laws of the state of Wisconsin and is qualified to do business and in good standing as a foreign corporation in each jurisdiction where the properties owned, leased or operated, or the business conducted, by it require such qualification, except where failure to so qualify or be in good standing is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Company. The Company has the corporate power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted. The Company has heretofore made available to Buyer a complete and correct copy of its articles of incorporation (including all certificates of designation or the equivalent thereof) and bylaws, each as amended to the date hereof. Such articles of incorporation and bylaws, each as amended to date, are in full force and effect.



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        3.2.    Authority.  The Company has the necessary corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and perform its obligations hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company and the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of the Company and no other corporate proceedings on the part of the Company, nor any stockholder vote or consent, is necessary to authorize this Agreement or to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by the Company, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer, this Agreement constitutes a legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of any court before which any proceeding may be brought).

        3.3.    No Violation; Consents.

                   (a)    Except as set forth on Section 3.3 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, and except with regard to the confidentiality provisions of those contracts listed on Section 3.3(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company nor the consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated hereby will conflict with or constitute a breach or violation of any provision of the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the Company, as amended, constitute a material breach, violation or default (or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of or permit any other party to terminate, require the consent from or the giving of notice to any other party to, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any of the Purchased Assets under, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust, or any material license, lease, agreement or other material instrument to which the Company, or by which it or any of the Purchased Assets, are bound, or conflict with or violate any material order, judgment or decree, or any material law, statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to the Company, or by which it or any of the Purchased Assets may be bound or affected.

                   (b)    The execution and delivery of this Agreement by the Company do not, and the performance of this Agreement by the Company and the transfer of the Purchased Assets to Buyer will not, require any consent, approval, authorization or permit of, or filing with or notification to, any Governmental Entity, except where the failure to obtain any such consent, approval, authorization or permit, or to make any such filing or notification, would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or otherwise prevent or materially delay the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect and would not materially impact the Buyer’s ability to commercially exploit the Purchased Assets.



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        3.4.    Title to Purchased Assets; Condition of Assets.  

                   (a)     The Company has the power and the right to sell, assign and transfer and the Company will sell and deliver to Buyer, and upon consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, Buyer will acquire good and marketable title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all Liens other than Permitted Liens.

                   (b)     Except as set forth on Section 3.4 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has good and marketable title to, or a valid leasehold interest in the personal property included in the Purchased Assets.

        3.5.    Broker’s Fees.  Except as set forth on Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has no liability or obligation to pay any fees or commissions to any broker, finder, or agent with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement for which the Buyer would become liable or obligated. All obligations for fees or commissions owing to the Persons listed on Section 3.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule shall be the responsibility of the Company.

        3.6.    Legal Compliance; Permits.  

                   (a)    Except as set forth on Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is and has been in compliance in all material respects with all applicable laws relating to the Juice Division (including rules, regulations, codes, plans, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, and charges thereunder) of federal, state, local, and foreign governments (and all agencies thereof), and the Company has not received written notice that any action, suit, proceeding, hearing, investigation, charge, complaint, claim, demand, or notice has been filed or commenced against the Company alleging any failure so to comply.

                   (b)    Except as disclosed in Section 3.6 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is in possession of all franchises, grants, authorizations, licenses, permits, easements, variances, exceptions, consents, certificates, approvals and orders of any Governmental Entity necessary for the Company to own, lease and operate its properties or to carry on its business it is now being conducted with respect to the Juice Division (the “Company Permits”), except where the failure to obtain any such Company Permits would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby, or otherwise prevent or materially delay the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. As of the date hereof, no suspension or cancellation of any of the Company Permits is pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened.

        3.7.    Trade Rights.  Schedule 1.1(a)(ii) lists all Juice Division Trade Rights which are Trade Rights of the type described in clauses (i), (ii) or (iii) of Section 1.1(a)(ii) in which the Company or NCI now has any interest, specifying whether such Trade Rights are owned, controlled, used or held (under license or otherwise) by the Company or NCI, and also indicating which of such Trade Rights are registered. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, all Juice Division Trade Rights shown as registered in Schedule 1.1(a)(ii) have been properly registered, all pending registrations and applications have been properly made and filed and all annuity, maintenance, renewal and other fees relating to registrations or applications are current. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not to its knowledge infringing and has not infringed any Trade Rights of another in the operation of the business of the Company and to the knowledge of the Company, no other Person is infringing the Trade Rights of the Company. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has not granted any license or made any assignment of any registered Juice Division Trade Right listed on Schedule 1.1(a)(ii), and no other Person has any right to use any registered Juice Division Trade Right owned or held by the Company. Except as set forth in Section 3.7 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, there is no Litigation pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened to challenge the Company’s right, title and interest with respect to its continued use and right to preclude others from using any Juice Division Trade Rights of the Company. Except as set forth on Section 3.7 of the Disclosure Schedule, all registered Juice Division Trade Rights of the Company are valid, enforceable and in good standing, and there are no equitable defenses to enforcement based on any act or omission of the Company.

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        3.8.    Tax Matters.

                   (a)    The Company has filed all Tax Returns that it was required to file with respect to the Juice Division and has paid all Taxes shown thereon as owing. Except as set forth in Section 3.8(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not currently the beneficiary of any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return with respect to the Juice Division. There are no security interests on any of the assets of the Company used in the Juice Division that arose in connection with any failure (or alleged failure) to pay any Tax.

                   (b)    There is no dispute or claim concerning any Tax Liability with respect to the Juice Division claimed or raised by any authority in writing. Section 3.8(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule lists all federal, state, local, and foreign income Tax Returns filed with respect to the Juice Division for taxable periods ended on or after August 31, 2002, and indicates those Tax Returns that have been audited, and indicates those Tax Returns that currently are the subject of audit.

                   (c)    The Company has not waived any statute of limitations in respect of Taxes or agreed to any extension of time with respect to a Tax assessment or deficiency with respect to the Juice Division.

                   (d)    The Company is not a party to any Tax allocation or sharing agreement. The Company (i) has not been a member of an affiliated group filing a consolidated federal income Tax Return (other than a group the common parent of which was the Company) and (ii) does not have any Liability for the Taxes or any Person under Treas. Reg. 1.1502-6 (or any similar provision of state, local, or foreign law), as a transferee or successor, by contract, or otherwise.

        3.9    Contracts.  The agreements listed in Schedule 1.1(a)(iii)constitute all of the agreements relating exclusively to the Juice Division which are material to the operation of the Juice Division. Except as set forth on Section 3.9of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company has delivered to the Buyer a correct and complete copy of each written agreement listed in Schedule 1.1(a)(iii) (as amended to date) and a written summary setting forth the material terms and conditions of each oral agreement referred to in Schedule 1.1(a)(iii). Except as set forth in Section 3.9 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, with respect to each such agreement: (a) the agreement is a legal, valid, binding, and enforceable obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with its terms, subject to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, liquidation, fraudulent conveyance and other similar laws and principles of equity affecting creditors’ rights and remedies generally; (b) neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto is in material breach or default, and no event has occurred which with notice or lapse of time would constitute a material breach or default, or permit termination, modification, or acceleration, under the agreement; and (c) neither the Company nor, to the knowledge of the Company, any other party thereto has repudiated any provision of the agreement.



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        3.10.    Trade Accounts Receivable. All Trade Accounts Receivable reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, and as incurred in the normal course of business since the date thereof, represent arm’s length sales actually made in the ordinary course of business.

        3.11.    Inventory. Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all Inventory reflected on the Preliminary Balance Sheet is fit for human consumption. Except as set forth on Section 3.11 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, all packaging, labels and finished goods contained in the Inventory of the Juice Division are in compliance in all material respects as to content, labeling and packaging with applicable laws and regulations (including, without limitation, those of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Food and Drug Administration).

        3.12.    Major Customers and Suppliers.  

                   (a)    Section 3.12(a) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of the ten (10) largest customers, including distributors, of the Juice Division for each of the two (2) most recent fiscal years and for the five-month period ending January 31, 2005 (determined on the basis of the total dollar amount of sales) showing the total dollar amount of sales to each such customer during each such year or period.

                   (b)    Section 3.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of the ten (10) largest suppliers to the Juice Division for each of the two most recent fiscal years and for the five-month period ending January 31, 2005 (determined on the basis of the total dollar amount of purchases) showing the total dollar amount of purchases from each such supplier during each such year or period. Section 3.12(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule also contains a true and correct list of all contracts for the purchase of fruit juice concentrate in excess of $50,000.

                   (c)    Section 3.12(c) of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list by product line of all sales representatives and brokers of the Juice Division, together with representative copies of all sales representative and broker contracts.

        3.13.    Litigation.  Section 3.13of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth each instance in which the Company: (i) is subject to any outstanding injunction, judgment, order, decree, ruling, or charge related to the Purchased Assets or (ii) is a party or, to the knowledge of the Company, is threatened to be made a party to any action, suit, proceeding, hearing, or investigation related to the Purchased Assets of, in, or before any court or quasi-judicial or administrative agency of any federal, state, local, or foreign jurisdiction or before any arbitrator. Except as described in Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule, none of the actions, suits, proceedings, hearings, and investigations set forth in Section 3.13 of the Company Disclosure Schedule reasonably could be expected to result in any Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Purchased Assets.



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        3.14.    Labor Matters.  

                   (a)    Except as set forth in Section 3.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) there are no material controversies pending or, to the knowledge of the Company, threatened between the Company or any Company Subsidiary and any Persons employed by the Juice Division, which controversies would prevent or materially delay consummation of the transaction contemplated hereby or otherwise prevent or materially delay the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement or would, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect; (b) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to any collective bargaining agreement or other labor union contract applicable to Persons employed by the Juice Division of the Company or any Company Subsidiary, nor, to the knowledge of the Company, are there any activities or proceedings of any labor union to organize any such employees; (c) neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has breached or otherwise failed to comply with any material provision of any such agreement or contract, and there are no grievances outstanding against the Company or any Company Subsidiary under any such agreement or contract with respect to the Juice Division; (d) there are no unfair labor practice complaints pending against the Company or any Company Subsidiary before the National Labor Relations Board or any current union representation questions involving employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary; and (e) there is no strike, slowdown, work stoppage or lockout, or, to the knowledge of the Company, threat thereof, by or with respect to any employees of the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to the Juice Division.

                   (b)    Except as set forth in Section 3.14(b) of the Company Disclosure Schedule, the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in compliance with all applicable laws relating to the employment of labor, including those related to wages, hours, collective bargaining and the payment and withholding of taxes and other sums as required by the appropriate Governmental Entity and has withheld and paid to the appropriate Governmental Entity or are holding for payment not yet due to such Governmental Entity all amounts required to be withheld from Persons employed by the Juice Division of the Company or any Company Subsidiary and are not liable for any arrears of wages, taxes, penalties or other sums for failure to comply with any of the foregoing except for any non-compliance that would not prevent or materially delay consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise prevent or materially delay the Company from performing its obligations under this Agreement and would not, individually or in the aggregate, have a Material Adverse Effect. The Company and the Company Subsidiaries have paid in full all employees of the Juice Division or adequately accrued for in accordance with U.S. GAAP consistently applied all wages, salaries, commissions, bonuses, benefits and other compensation due to or on behalf of such employees and there is currently pending no material claim against the Company or any Company Subsidiary with respect to payment of wages, salary or overtime pay that has been asserted or, to the Company’s knowledge, is now pending or threatened before any Governmental Entity with respect to any persons currently or formerly employed by the Juice Division of the Company or any Company Subsidiary. Neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary is a party to, or otherwise bound by, any consent decree with, or citation by, any Governmental Entity relating to employees or employment practices. There is no charge or proceeding with respect to a material violation of any occupational safety or health standards that has been asserted or, to the Company’s knowledge, is now pending or threatened with respect to the Company. There is currently pending no charge of discrimination in employment or employment practices, for any reason, including, without limitation, age, gender, race, religion or other legally protected category, which has been asserted or is now pending or to the Company’s knowledge threatened before the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or any other Governmental Entity in any jurisdiction in which the Company or any Company Subsidiary have employed or employ any person relating to the Juice Division.



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        3.15.    Purchased Assets. Except as set forth on Schedule 1.1(b), the Purchased Assets include all of the assets of the Company which are currently used in the operation of the Juice Division currently conducted by the Company as of the date hereof

        3.16.    Environmental Matters. Except as described in Section 3.16 of the Company Disclosure Schedule and except as such relates to any real property of the Company (none of which is being conveyed to Buyer hereunder), to the Company’s knowledge and only as such relates to the Juice Division, (a) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have not materially violated and are not in material violation of any Environmental Law (as defined below); (b) none of the properties currently or formerly owned, leased or operated by the Company and the Company Subsidiaries (including, without limitation, soils and surface and ground waters) are or were contaminated by the Company or the Company Subsidiaries with any Hazardous Substance (as defined below); (c) neither the Company nor the Company Subsidiaries are liable for any off-site contamination by Hazardous Substances; (d) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are not liable under any Environmental Law (including, without limitation, pending or threatened liens); (e) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries have all permits, licenses and other authorizations required under any Environmental Law (“Environmental Permits”); (f) the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are in material compliance with their Environmental Permits; and (g) neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein will require any investigation, remediation or other action with respect to Hazardous Substances, or any notice to or consent of Governmental Entities or third parties, pursuant to any applicable Environmental Law or Environmental Permit.

        “Environmental Law” means any applicable federal, state or local law in effect as of the date hereof relating to (A) releases or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances or materials containing Hazardous Substances; (B) the manufacture, handling, transport, use, treatment, storage or disposal of Hazardous Substances or materials containing Hazardous Substances; or (C) otherwise relating to pollution or protection of the environment, health, safety or natural resources.

        “Hazardous Substances” means (i) those substances defined in or regulated under the following federal statutes and their state counterparts in effect as of the date hereof, as each may be amended from time to time, and all regulations thereunder in effect as of the date hereof: the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe Drinking Water Act, the Atomic Energy Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act and the Clean Air Act; (ii) petroleum and petroleum products, including crude oil and any fractions thereof; (iii) natural gas, synthetic gas, and any mixtures thereof; (iv) polychlorinated biphenyls, asbestos and radon; (v) any other contaminant; and (vi) any substance, material or waste regulated by any federal, state, local or foreign Governmental Entity pursuant to any Environmental Law.



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        3.17.    Insurance.     Section 3.17 of the Company Disclosure Schedule contains a list of all policies of insurance to which each of the Company and the Company Subsidiaries are a party or are a beneficiary or named insured.

        3.18.    Financial Information. The Company has provided to Buyer the Preliminary Balance Sheet, as well as its historical sales reports, costs of goods, coupon accruals, accrued and unpaid market development funds and slotting fees, commission accruals, cash discounts, freight and advertising expenses for the twelve (12) months ended August 31, 2004 and the five (5) months ended January 31, 2005 (together with the Preliminary Balance Sheet, the “Financial Information”). The Financial Information provided to Buyer was compiled from the Company’s consolidated financial statements and is complete and accurate in all material respects. Buyer acknowledges and agrees that the Company does not maintain segregated audited or unaudited financial statements specific to the Juice Division or the Purchased Assets, and that as such all Financial Information provided hereunder is not represented or warranted to comply or otherwise have been prepared in accordance with GAAP.

        3.19.    Undisclosed Liabilities. Except for those liabilities that are disclosed in Section 3.19 of the Company Disclosure Schedule or are fully reflected or reserved against on the Preliminary Balance Sheet, neither the Company nor any Company Subsidiary has outstanding any liability or obligation of any nature whatsoever relating to the Juice Division (whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become due).

        3.20.    Limitations on Representations and Warranties. BUYER SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT (a) EXCEPT AS EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III OF THIS AGREEMENT, THE COMPANY IS TRANSFERRING THE PURCHASED ASSETS “AS IS, WHERE IS AND WITH ALL FAULTS” AND (b) EXCEPT FOR THE REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE COMPANY EXPRESSLY SET FORTH IN ARTICLE III OF THIS AGREEMENT, NEITHER THE COMPANY NOR ANY OTHER PERSON IS MAKING, AND BUYER IS NOT RELYING ON, ANY REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER, WHETHER ORAL OR WRITTEN, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE, AS TO ANY MATTER CONCERNING ANY OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, OR THE ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED TO BUYER BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OTHER PERSON OR OTHERWISE OBTAINED BY BUYER CONCERNING ANY OF THE PURCHASED ASSETS OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO: (i) the quality, nature, merchantability, use, operation, value, marketability, adequacy or physical condition of any of the Purchased Assets or any aspect or portion thereof; (ii) the magnitude or dimensions of any of the Purchased Assets; (iii) the development or income potential of, or rights of or relating to the development or income potential of, any of the Purchased Assets, or the fitness, suitability, value or adequacy of any of the Purchased Assets for any particular purpose; (iv) the compliance of any of the Purchased Assets or their operation with any applicable codes, laws, regulations, statutes, ordinances, covenants, conditions and restrictions of any authority or of any other Person; (v) the ability of Buyer to obtain any necessary governmental approvals, licenses or permits for the use or development of any of the Purchased Assets; or (vi) the likelihood that customers and suppliers of the Juice Division business will after Closing continue their relationship with the Juice Division Brands, maintain such relationship with the Juice Division at substantially the same level, or continue to purchase inventory of products relating to the Juice Division Brands.


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ARTICLE IV

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

        Buyer hereby represents and warrants to the Company as of the date of this Agreement that the statements contained in this Article IV are true and correct.

        4.1.    Organization and Qualification.  Buyer is a limited liability company duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the state of Delaware. Buyer has the limited liability company power and authority and all necessary governmental approvals to own, lease and operate its properties and to carry on its business as it is now being conducted, except where the failure to have such power or authority and governmental approvals is not reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer. Buyer has heretofore made available a complete and correct copy of its certificate of formation, as amended to the date hereof. Such certificate of formation, as amended to date, is in full force and effect.

        4.2.    Authority.  Buyer has the corporate power and authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby. The execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer and the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby have been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate action on the part of Buyer. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed and delivered by Buyer, and, assuming this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding obligation of the Company, this Agreement constitutes a valid and binding agreement of Buyer, enforceable against Buyer in accordance with its terms (except in all cases as such enforceability may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, or similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally and except that the availability of the equitable remedy of specific performance or injunctive relief is subject to the discretion of any court before which any proceeding may be brought).

        4.3.    No Violation. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby will (i) constitute a breach or violation of any provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, as amended, constitute a material breach, violation or default (or any event which, with notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default) under, or result in the termination of or permit any other party to terminate, or accelerate the performance required by, or result in the creation of any Lien upon any property or asset of Buyer under, any note, bond, mortgage, indenture, deed of trust or any material license, lease, agreement or other material instrument to which Buyer or its properties or assets, are bound, or subject to the receipt of the requisite consents, approvals, or authorizations of, or filings with Governmental Entities, conflict with or violate any material statute, ordinance, rule or regulation applicable to Buyer, or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be bound or affected. Neither the execution and delivery of this Agreement by Buyer nor the consummation by Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby will conflict with or violate any order, judgment or decree applicable to Buyer, or by which it or any of its properties or assets may be bound or affected.



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        4.4.    Finder’s Fees. No Person retained by Buyer or its Affiliates is or will be entitled to any commission or finder’s or similar fee in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        4.5.    Litigation.     There is no suit, claim, proceeding or investigation pending or, to Buyer’s knowledge, threatened against Buyer which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer or would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement. Buyer is not a party to or bound by any outstanding order, writ, injunction or decree which is reasonably likely to have a Material Adverse Effect on Buyer or would reasonably be expected to prevent or delay the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

        4.6.    Funding.     Buyer has and will have at Closing and upon the Settlement Date, cash sufficient to enable it to timely and fully perform all of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation the payment of the Base Consideration, the Preliminary Adjustment and any Final Adjustment payable to the Company.

        4.7.    Company Stock. Buyer does not own, nor within the past three years has it owned (directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record), any capital stock of the Company and is not a party to any agreement, arrangement, or understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of, in each case, any share of capital stock of the Company.

ARTICLE V
FURTHER AGREEMENTS

        5.1.    Confidentiality.     The parties acknowledge that Buyer and the Company have previously executed a Confidentiality Agreement dated December 15, 2003, (the “Confidentiality Agreement”), which Confidentiality Agreement will terminate upon Closing and be replaced by the confidentiality provisions of this Agreement.

        5.2.    Public Disclosure. Buyer and the Company agree that the initial press release with respect to the transactions contemplated hereby shall be in a form agreed to by and between Buyer and the Company; provided, however, that nothing contained in this Agreement shall prohibit the Company from making any disclosure of the transactions contemplated hereby which the Company reasonably determines is required by applicable law.

        5.3.    Preservation of Books and Records. Buyer agrees that the Company may retain copies of all original books and records in respect of the Business, and that Buyer shall preserve and keep, or cause to be preserved and kept, all original books and records in respect of the Business in the possession of Buyer or its Affiliates for a period of six (6) years after the Closing Date (the “Record Retention Period”). The Company or its representatives, upon reasonable notice and for any reasonable business purpose, shall have access during normal business hours to examine, inspect and copy such books and records. Buyer shall provide the Company or its representatives with, or cause to be provided to the Company or its representatives, such original books and records of the Business as the Company or its representatives shall reasonably request in connection with any action to which the Company is a party or in connection with the requirements of any law applicable to the Company or its representatives.



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        5.4.    Further Actions; Filings.

                   (a)    Upon the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, each of the parties hereto shall use its commercially reasonable efforts to (i) take, or cause to be taken, all appropriate action and do, or cause to be done, all things reasonably necessary, proper or advisable under applicable law or otherwise to consummate and make effective the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, including without limitation the execution and delivery of any documents, certificates, agreements and other writings and the taking of such other actions as may be reasonably necessary or desirable (but which shall not cause the Company to incur any material expense) in order to vest in Buyer good title to the Purchased Assets, free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens, (ii) obtain from Governmental Entities any consents, licenses, permits, waivers, approvals, authorizations or orders required to be obtained or made by Buyer or the Company or any of their subsidiaries in connection with the authorization, execution and delivery of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (iii) respond to all inquiries and investigations, make all necessary filings, and thereafter make any other submissions, with respect to this Agreement, the transactions contemplated by this Agreement that are required under (A) applicable federal and state securities laws, (B) the HSR Act and foreign antitrust regulations, if any, applicable to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (C) any other applicable law. The parties hereto shall cooperate with each other in connection with the making of all such filings.

                   (b)    Each party shall promptly notify the other party in writing of any pending or, to the knowledge of such party, threatened inquiry, action, proceeding or investigation by any Governmental Entity or any other Person, whether arising prior to or after the Closing, (i) challenging or seeking damages in connection with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereunder or (ii) seeking to restrain or prohibit or set aside the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or otherwise limit the right of Buyer or its subsidiaries to own or operate all or any portion of the Purchased Assets of the Company. If a suit or other action is threatened or instituted by any Governmental Entity or other entity challenging the validity or legality, or seeking to enjoin or set aside the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, the parties shall use commercially reasonable efforts to defend such suit or action, and shall pay their own costs incurred in connection with doing so.

                   (c)    Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, including, without limitation, the indemnification provisions contained in Article VIII, each party shall be responsible for the costs it and its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisors, representatives and Affiliates incur in connection with complying with the provisions of this Section 5.4 in connection with any such inquiry, action, proceeding or investigation initiated under any applicable antitrust law, rule or regulation.



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        5.5.    Employees; Employment and Benefit Arrangements.

                   (a)    Section 5.5 of the Company Disclosure Schedule sets forth the current, active employees of the Company whose employment primarily relates to the Juice Division, including, without limitation, all full-time employees whose employment primarily relates to the Juice Division and any inactive employees previously employed whose employment primarily related to the Juice Division who have a right of reemployment by the Company under applicable law (collectively, the “Business Employees”). Nothing contained in this Agreement shall confer upon any Business Employee or any other employee or former employee of the Company any right to employment with Buyer or its Affiliates.

                   (b)    Except as set forth in Section 5.5(c), below, the Company shall be responsible for all obligations due and Liabilities associated with the Business Employees of the Company in connection with their employment prior to, on or after the Closing Date (except to the extent such Liabilities arise from the hiring of such Business Employees by Buyer on or after the termination of their employment with the Company) or in connection with their termination from employment with the Company prior to, on or after the Closing Date, including, without limitation, any Liabilities in connection with bonuses, vacations, employment arrangements, termination or severance as set forth in Section 3.14. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 5.5, the Buyer shall be responsible for all obligations and Liabilities that arise following the Closing Date in connection with its employment of any employees of the Juice Division, it being understood that the employees providing services under the Transition Agreement shall not be deemed employees of Buyer.

                   (c)    In respect of notices and payments relating to the Business Employees, the Company shall be responsible for and assume all Liabilities for (and shall indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against) any and all notices, payments, fines or assessments due to any Governmental Entity or Business Employee, and all legal and other costs and expenses related thereto, pursuant to any applicable federal, state, local or foreign law, common law, statute, rule, regulation or ordinance with respect to the employment, discharge or layoff of Business Employees by the Company prior to, on or after the Closing Date, including, but not limited to the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act, the Wisconsin Business Closing Law, and any rules or regulations as have been issued in connection with the foregoing (jointly referred to throughout this Agreement as the “WARN Act”). The Company further agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Buyer harmless from and against any and all Liabilities incurred by Buyer with respect to the Company’s failure to comply with its WARN Act obligations in respect of the Business Employees or with respect to the Company’s failure to comply with its obligations under Section 5.5(b) above (except to the extent such Liabilities arise from the hiring of such Business Employees by Buyer on or after the termination of their employment with the Company). The indemnity in this Section 5.5(c) is to be provided without giving effect to the limitations set forth in Section 8.3(c) below. In respect of notices and payments relating to events occurring after the Effective Time, each party shall be responsible for, and shall indemnify and hold harmless the other against, any WARN Act obligations or Liabilities arising with respect to employees actually employed by such party after the Closing, it being understood that the employees providing services under the Transition Agreement shall not be deemed employees of Buyer, unless such employees are hired independently by Buyer.


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        5.6.    Funding. Buyer agrees that it has and will have at Closing and upon the Settlement Date, cash sufficient to enable it to timely and fully perform all of its obligations hereunder, including without limitation the payment of the Base Consideration, the Preliminary Adjustment and any Final Adjustment payable to the Company.

        5.7.    Assignment of Purchased Contracts. To the extent that any Purchased Contract for which assignment to Buyer as provided herein is not permitted without the consent of another party or the confidentiality provisions of which prohibit the Company’s disclosure of the contract or its terms, this Agreement shall not constitute an assignment or an attempted assignment thereof if such assignment, attempted assignment or disclosure would constitute a breach thereof. The Company and Buyer agree to use commercially reasonable efforts (provided that such efforts shall not require additional cost or expense (other than incidental costs or expenses)) to obtain the consent of such other party to the assignment or disclosure of any such Purchased Contract to Buyer in all cases in which such consent is or may be required for such assignment or disclosure. Until such consent is obtained or if it is not obtained, the Company shall cooperate with Buyer in any reasonable arrangement (such as by agency or sublicense) designed to provide Buyer with the economic benefits under such relevant contract; provided that to the extent that Buyer requires the Company to undertake any services or take any action in furtherance of the performance of such Purchased Contract, any such services or actions shall be the subject of a separate agreement that the parties shall, in good faith, negotiate as promptly as possible and that shall be mutually acceptable to the parties. The Purchase Price hereunder shall not be reduced by reason of the inability to transfer (by assignment, subcontract or otherwise) to Buyer any such Purchased Contract on or after the Closing Date. Each party shall be responsible for all of its internal costs and expenses incurred by it in connection with the actions required by it under this subsection.

        5.8.    Transition Period. The Company will for a period of six (6) months after the Closing Date use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain all systems, records and software programs relating to the Juice Division, provide Buyer reasonable access thereto, and, to the extent reasonable practicable and so as not to violate any confidentiality or other obligations of the Company, shall transition all such records to Buyer within 6 months after the Closing Date (provided that no such actions shall not cause the Company to incur any expense).

        5.9.    Corporate Name. Buyer hereby grants to Company a fully paid, exclusive, royalty free right and license to use the Corporate Name in connection with its continuing business operations for a period of two (2) years following the Closing; provided, however, that the Company covenants and agrees that during such period it shall not use the Corporate Name in connection with any business competitive with the retail sale or marketing of juice, juice drinks or cranberry related products, and provided, further, that Company agrees that it shall promptly change its corporate name at the expiration of such two (2) year term. In using the name, Northland will adhere to the same quality standards as it did prior to the Closing Date. Any goodwill associated with the use of the name shall inure to the benefit of Buyer.




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ARTICLE VI
[INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]


ARTICLE VII
DEFINED TERMS

        The following capitalized terms when used herein shall have the meaning indicated below. Definitions of certain other capitalized terms are set forth elsewhere in this Agreement.

        “Affiliate”shall mean, with respect to a particular Person, Persons controlling, controlled by, or under common control with that Person.

        “Applicable Rate” shall mean the prime rate of interest reported from time to time in The Wall Street Journal.

        “Brands”shall mean those brands associated with the Company Trade Rights set forth in Schedule 1.1(a)(ii) hereto, together with those associated with the assignable Trade Rights under the Seneca License Agreement assigned to Buyer.

        “Company Benefit Plan” means any “employee benefit plan” (as such term is defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA) and any other material employee benefit plan, program or arrangement of any kind that is maintained, sponsored or contributed to by the Company and with respect to which the Company has any Liability or potential Liability with respect to any Business Employees.

        “Company’s knowledge” or “knowledge of the Company” or words of similar import shall mean, with respect to any matter in question, the actual knowledge of John Swendrowski, Ricke Kress and Nigel Cooper.

        “ERISA”means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended.

        “GAAP”means United States generally accepted accounting principles as in effect from time to time, consistently applied.

        “Governmental Entity” shall mean any government or subdivision thereof, domestic, foreign or supranational or any administrative, governmental or regulatory authority, agency, commission, tribunal or body, domestic, foreign or supranational.

        “HSR Act” shall mean the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended.

        “Juice Division” shall mean the Company’s business of producing, packaging, marketing, distributing and selling fruit juices, juice blends, juice concentrates packaged for retail sale, dried cranberries and chocolate-coated cranberries under the Brands (but excluding the Company’s business of producing, packaging, marketing, distributing and selling fresh and frozen cranberries, fresh fruit, cranberry sauce and cranberry juice concentrate).



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        “Liability”means any direct or indirect indebtedness, guaranty, endorsement, claim, loss, damage, deficiency, cost, expense, obligation or responsibility, fixed or unfixed, known or unknown, asserted or unasserted, due or undue, liquidated or unliquidated, secured or unsecured.

        “Lien”or “Liens” means any lien, security interest, pledge, charge, claim, mortgage, easement, restriction or any other encumbrance.

        “Losses”means all actions, suits, proceedings, hearings, investigations, charges, complaints, claims, demands, injunctions, judgments, orders, decrees, rulings, damages, dues, penalties, fines, costs, amounts paid in settlement, liabilities, obligations, losses, out-of-pocket expenses, and fees, including court costs and reasonable attorneys’fees and expenses.

        “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean, with respect to any Person, any effect that individually or taken together with other effects is materially adverse to: (i) the financial condition, or business of such Person and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole (provided, however, that, with respect to the representations and warranties made by the Company, a Material Adverse Effect shall mean any effect that individually or taken together with other effects is materially adverse to the financial condition of the Purchased Assets or to the Juice Division) or (ii) the ability of such Person to consummate the transactions contemplated by this Agreement; provided, however, in no event shall any of the following be deemed to constitute, nor shall any of the following be taken into account in determining whether there has been or will be, a Material Adverse Effect with respect to the Company: (a) events, changes, conditions or effects disclosed in the exhibits, addenda and schedules hereto, including without limitation the Company Disclosure Schedule; (b) events, changes, conditions or effects consented to by Buyer in writing; (c) events, changes, conditions or effects attributable to the acts or omissions of, or on behalf of, Buyer; (d) any change on or after the Closing Date in any law effecting the Purchased Assets, the Assumed Liabilities, the Juice Division, the Company or any of the Company’s Subsidiaries or any interpretation thereof; (e) changes in the market price or trading volume of Company’s Common Stock; (f) changes in the Company not related to the financial condition or business of the Juice Division; (g) changes or developments in the consumer food and beverage products industry in general; (h) changes or developments in the supply or availability of raw materials or packaging material, including without limitation labels, bottles and other bottling and packaging materials, used in the Juice Division (i) changes or developments in financial or securities markets or the economy in general; (j) national or international political or social events, changes, conditions or effects, including without limitation those attributable to acts of war, terrorism or other conflicts; or (k) the announcement or public disclosure of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

        “Permitted Liens” shall mean: (i) Liens for Taxes not yet due and payable; (ii) Liens associated with the Purchased Assets arising after the Closing Date.

        “Person”shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or unincorporated organization or association or other form of business enterprise or a Governmental Entity.

        “Subsidiary”shall mean any corporation, partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity of which: (i) if a corporation, a majority of the total voting power of shares of stock entitled (irrespective of whether, at the time, stock of any other class or classes of such corporation shall have or might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) to vote in the election of directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more of the other Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (ii) if a partnership, limited liability company, association or other business entity, either (A) a majority of the partnership or other similar ownership interest thereof is at the time owned or controlled, directly or indirectly, by that Person or one or more Subsidiaries of that Person or a combination thereof, or (B) such Person is a general partner, managing member or managing director of such partnership, limited liability company, association or other entity.



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        “Taxes”shall mean all net income, capital gains, gross income, gross receipts, sales, use, transfer, ad valorem, franchise, profits, license, capital, withholding, payroll, employment, excise, goods and services, severance, stamp, occupation, premium, documentary, intangibles, property, assessments, or other governmental charges of any kind whatsoever, together with any interest, fines and any penalties, additions to tax or other additional amounts incurred, accrued with respect thereto, assessed, charged or imposed under applicable federal, state, local or foreign tax. References to the Company or any Subsidiary shall be deemed to include any predecessor to such Person from which the Company or such Subsidiary incurs a liability for Taxes as a result of transferee liability.

        “Tax Returns” means any return, report, information return or other document (including schedules or any related or supporting information) filed or required to be filed with any Governmental Entity or other authority in connection with the determination, assessment or collection of any Tax or the administration of any laws, regulations or administrative requirements relating to any Tax.

        Each capitalized term listed below is defined in the corresponding Section listed below.

Term Section No.

Accounts Receivable
1.1(a)(iii)
Agreement Preamble
Assignment and Assumption Agreement 2.5(a)(ii)
Assumed Coupon Liabilities 1.2
Assumed Liabilities 1.2
Base Consideration 2.1(a)
Business Employees 5.5(a)
Buyer Preamble
Buyer Indemnified Party 8.1
Closing 2.3
Closing Date 2.3
Company Preamble
Company Disclosure Schedule Article III
Company Indemnified Party 8.2
Confidential Information 9.1
Confidentiality Agreement 5.1


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Term Section No.

Corporate Name
1.1(b)
Effective Time 2.2(d)(ii)
Environmental Law 3.15
Environmental Permits 3.15
Excluded Assets 1.1(b)
Excluded Liabilities 1.2
Final Adjustment 2.2(b)
Final Closing Balance Sheet 2.2(d)(iv)
Hazardous Substances 3.15
Independent Accounting Firm 2.2(d)(iv)
Juice Division Trade Rights 1.1(a)(ii)
Permitted Recipients 9.3
Preliminary Adjustment 2.2(a)
Preliminary Balance Sheet 2.2(d)
Purchase Price 2.1(a)
Purchased Assets 1.1(a)
Purchased Contracts 1.1(a)(iii)
Record Retention Period 5.3
Seneca License Agreement 1.1(a)(ii)
Settlement Date 2.2(b)
Trade Accounts Payable 2.2(c)(iii)
Trade Accounts Receivable 2.2(c)(i)
Trade Rights 1.1(a)(ii)
WARN Act 5.5(c)
WARN Act 5.5(c)
Working Capital 2.2(c)


ARTICLE VIII
INDEMNIFICATION

        8.1.    Company’s Indemnity. The Company covenants and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Buyer, its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisers, representatives and Affiliates (each, a “Buyer Indemnified Party”) from and against, and pay or reimburse each Buyer Indemnified Party for, any and all Losses actually sustained as a result of:

                   (a)    any failure by the Company to carry out, perform, satisfy and discharge any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement;

                   (b)    the Excluded Liabilities; and

                   (c)    any breach of the Company’s representations and warranties contained in Section 3.2 (Authority), Section 3.3 (No Violation; Consents), Section 3.4 (Title to Purchased Assets), Section 3.6 (Legal Compliance; Permits), Section 3.7 (Trade Rights), Section 3.8 (Tax Matters), Section 3.9 (Contracts), Section 3.13 (Litigation), Section 3.17 (Insurance), Section 3.18 (Financial Information) and Section 3.19 (Undisclosed Liabilities).



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        8.2.    Buyer’s Indemnity. Buyer covenants and agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Company, its officers, directors, employees, agents, advisers, representatives and Affiliates (each, a “Company Indemnified Party”) from and against, and pay or reimburse each Company Indemnified Party for, any and all Losses actually sustained as a result of:

                   (a)    any failure by Buyer to carry out, perform, satisfy and discharge any of its covenants or agreements set forth in this Agreement;

                   (b)    the ownership of the Purchased Assets after the Closing, subject to the agreement of the parties contained in Section 5.4(c) of this Agreement; and

                   (c)    the Assumed Liabilities.

        8.3.    Provisions Regarding Indemnities.

                   (a)    Notice; Third Party Claims. The indemnified party shall promptly notify the indemnifying party in reasonable detail of any claim, demand, action or proceeding for which indemnification will be sought under Section 8.1 or Section 8.2 hereof, and if such claim, demand, action or proceeding is a third party claim, demand, action or proceeding, the indemnifying party will have the right at its expense to assume and control the defense thereof using counsel reasonably acceptable to the indemnified party; provided, that, the indemnifying party shall continue to be entitled to assert any limitation on any claims contained herein. Should an indemnifying party so elect to assume the defense of a third party claim, the indemnifying party shall not be liable to the indemnified party for legal expenses subsequently incurred by the indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof. If the indemnifying party assumes such defense, the indemnified party shall have the right to participate in the defense thereof and to employ counsel, at its own expense, separate from the counsel employed by the indemnifying party, it being understood, however, that the indemnifying party shall control such defense. In connection with any such third party claim, demand, action or proceeding, the parties shall cooperate with each other and provide each other with reasonable access to relevant books and records in their possession. The indemnifying party shall obtain the prior written consent of the indemnified party (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned or delayed) before entering into any settlement of a claim or ceasing to defend such claim if, pursuant to or as a result of such settlement or cessation, injunctive or other equitable relief will be imposed against the indemnified party or if such settlement does not expressly and unconditionally release the indemnified party from all liabilities and obligations with respect to such claim, without prejudice except for payments that would be required to be paid by indemnified party hereunder.

                   (b)    Time Limitation. Any claim or action brought under this Article VIII for breach of a representation or warranty referenced in Section 8.1(c) above, or for breach of the Company’s indemnity obligations under Section 5.5(c) above with respect to the WARN Act, must be brought no later than August 31, 2005. Any claim or action brought under this Article VIII for a breach of a covenant contained herein must be brought no later than August 31, 2005 or, in the case of the covenants contained in Section 5.3, Section 5.9 and Section 9.1, no later than the expiration of the covenants contained therein. Except for the representations and warranties of the Company described in Section 8.1(c) above, all other representations and warranties contained herein shall expire on the Closing Date. The expiration of rights set forth in this Section 8.3(b) shall not affect an indemnified party’s right to prosecute to conclusion any claim made by such indemnified party in accordance with Article VIII hereof prior to the time that the relevant right of indemnity terminates or expires.


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                   (c)    Amount Limitation.

                             (i)    No indemnified party hereunder shall be entitled to receive any indemnification payments under this Article VIII until the aggregate amount of Losses incurred by the indemnified party exceed $250,000 in the aggregate. If this limit is reached, all Losses from the first dollar of Losses shall be recoverable.

                             (ii)    The maximum aggregate amount of indemnification payments under Section 8.1(a), 8.1(b) and 8.1(c) (as such, in the case of payments under Section 8.1(c), relates to breaches of the representations or warranties contained in clauses (ii) and (iii) of Section 3.3 (No Violation; Consents), Section 3.4(b) (Title to Purchased Assets), Section 3.6 (Legal Compliance; Permits), the second, third, fifth and sixth sentences of Section 3.7 (Trade Rights), Section 3.9 (Contracts), Section 3.13 (Litigation), Section 3.17 (Insurance), Section 3.18 (Financial Information) and Section 3.19 (Undisclosed Liabilities)) which Buyer shall be entitled to receive, upon the triggering of any indemnification obligation hereunder, shall not in the aggregate exceed $450,000.

                             (iii)    The maximum aggregate amount of indemnification payments under Section 8.1(c), as such relates to breaches of the representations or warranties contained in Section 3.2 (Authority), clause (i) of Section 3.3 (No Violation; Consents), Section 3.4(a) (Title to Purchased Assets), the first and fourth sentences of Section 3.7 (Trade Rights) and Section 3.8 (Tax Matters)), which Buyer shall be entitled to receive, upon the triggering of any indemnification obligation hereunder, shall not in the aggregate exceed the Purchase Price.







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                   (d)    Exclusive Remedy.

                             (i)    Buyer acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing, its sole and exclusive remedy against the Company with respect to any and all claims (other than proven claims for actual fraud committed by the Company) relating (directly or indirectly) to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be pursuant to the provisions set forth in this Article VIII. Buyer may not avoid the limitations on liability of the Company set forth herein by seeking damages for breach of contract, tort or pursuant to any other theory of liability. Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in this Agreement, Buyer shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VIIIwith respect to Losses or alleged Losses that are a result of, or based upon or arising from, any claim or liability to the extent such claim or liability is taken into account in determining whether or not there will be an adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.

                             (ii)    The Company acknowledges and agrees that, from and after the Closing, its sole and exclusive remedy against Buyer with respect to any and all claims (other than proven claims for actual fraud by Buyer) relating (directly or indirectly) to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby shall be pursuant to the provisions set forth in this Article VIII. The Company may not avoid the limitations on liability of the Company Indemnified Parties set forth herein by seeking damages for breach of contract, tort or pursuant to any other theory of liability. Notwithstanding anything contained to the contrary in this Agreement, the Company shall not be entitled to indemnification pursuant to this Article VIII with respect to Losses or alleged Losses that are a result of, or based upon or arising from, any claim or liability to the extent such claim or liability is taken into account in determining whether or not there will be an adjustment to the Purchase Price pursuant to Section 2.2 hereof.

                   (e)    Lost Profits. In no event shall any indemnified parties be entitled to recover or make a claim for any amounts in respect of loss of business, lost profits, multiples of profits, multiples of earnings, multiples of cash flow, goodwill, business reputation, consequential damages or punitive damages in calculating the amount of any Losses.

ARTICLE IX
CONFIDENTIALITY

        9.1.    Definition of Confidential Information. The parties acknowledge that at or following the Closing, information will have been provided to, or will have come to the attention of, each party and its employees, agents, and representatives regarding the other party, which information is of value to the disclosing party and is not generally available to the public. This information may include but is not limited to the formulations, specifications, product development histories, test results, ideas, marketing concepts, designs, drawings, techniques, personnel, technical and financial data, models, flow charts, procedures, now-how, methods, inventions and forecasts (hereinafter collectively referred to as “Confidential Information”). The parties further acknowledge that Confidential Information which primarily relates to the Purchased Assets or the business conducted by the Company with the Purchased Assets prior to the Closing shall be considered Confidential Information of the Buyer following the Closing. However, Confidential Information does not include any information which: (i) was or becomes generally available to the public other than as a result of an unauthorized disclosure by the receiving party, or (ii) comes into the possession of the receiving party after the date of the Closing on a nonconfidential basis from a source other than the disclosing party or its agent, providedthat, insofar as is reasonably known to the receiving party, the disclosure by such source does not violate any confidentiality agreement between such source and the disclosing party.


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        9.2.    Use of Confidential Information. The receiving party shall use the disclosing party’s Confidential Information only for the purpose of performing its obligations under this Agreement or as contemplated in this Agreement or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Agreement, and for no other purpose; provided, however, that the foregoing shall not prevent the Company or any successor in interest of the Company from using, without payment of any additional consideration to Buyer, that portion of Buyer’s Confidential Information that relates to the Purchased Assets or the business conducted by the Company with the Purchased Assets prior to the Closing to the extent necessary to carry out its business following the Closing and provided, further, that Buyer shall make available to the Company such records for use for the purposes of operating the Company’s continuing businesses; corporate administration, record keeping and preparation of reports required by insurers and taxing, regulatory and other governmental authorities; and enforcement, defense, dispute resolution and other matters concerning accounts receivable, liabilities, claims and other matters which are, or are related to, assets other than the Purchased Assets, Assumed Liabilities, liabilities, contracts and rights and obligations not acquired or assumed by Buyer.

        9.3.    Confidentiality.     The receiving party agrees to keep the disclosing party’s Confidential Information confidential and shall not, without the prior written consent of the disclosing party, disclose such Confidential Information to any third party, in whole or in part, other than for the purposes of performing its obligations under this Agreement or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Agreement and provided such third party has duly executed a confidentiality agreement pursuant to which such third party has agreed to maintain in confidence and no use or disclose such Confidential Information other than for such purposes. The receiving party likewise shall not disclose such Confidential Information to any Affiliate except those who have an actual need to know such Confidential Information for the purpose of performing the receiving party’s obligations under this Agreement or any agreements entered into pursuant to this Agreement who are informed by the receiving party of the confidential nature of such Confidential Information and who agree to be bound by this Agreement (“Permitted Recipients”). The receiving party shall be responsible for any breach of any provision of this Agreement by its Permitted Recipients.

        9.4.    Legal Requirement to Disclose. In the event that the receiving party becomes legally compelled to disclose any of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information, the receiving party shall provide the disclosing party with prompt notice, if lawful, so that the disclosing party may seek a protective order or other appropriate remedy and/or waive compliance with the provisions of this Agreement. In the event such protective order or other remedy is not obtained, or the disclosing party waives compliance with the provisions of this Agreement, the receiving party shall furnish only that portion of the disclosing party’s Confidential Information which the receiving party is advised by its counsel is legally required to be furnished, and the receiving party shall use its best efforts to obtain assurances that such Confidential Information shall be treated confidentially by the recipient thereof.



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ARTICLE X
GENERAL PROVISIONS

        10.1.    Notices.     All notices, demands, consents, or other communications that are required or permitted hereunder or that are given with respect to this Agreement shall be in writing and shall be sufficient if personally delivered or sent by registered or certified mail, facsimile message, or Federal Express or other nationally recognized overnight delivery service. Any notice shall be deemed given upon the earlier of the date when received at, or the fifth day after the date when sent by registered or certified mail or the day after the date when sent by Federal Express or facsimile to, the address or facsimile number set forth below, unless such address or facsimile number is changed by written notice to the other parties in accordance with this Agreement:

  (a) if to Buyer, to:

  Apple & Eve, LLC
2 Sea View Boulevard
Port Washington, NY 11050-4634
Attn: Gordon Crane, Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (516) 625-9474

  with copies to:

  Moses & Singer LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10019
Attn: James Alterbaum, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 554-7700

  (b) if to the Company, to:

  Northland Cranberries, Inc.
2321 West Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8020
Attn: John Swendrowski, Chief Executive Officer
Facsimile: (715) 422-6844

  with copies to:

  Foley & Lardner LLP
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: Steven R. Barth, Esq.
Facsimile: (414) 297-4900




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        10.2     Interpretation. When a reference is made in this Agreement to exhibits or schedules, such reference shall be to an exhibit or schedule to this Agreement unless otherwise indicated. The words “include,” “includes” and “including” when used herein shall be deemed in each case to be followed by the words “without limitation.” The phrase “made available” in this Agreement shall mean that the information referred to has been made available if requested by the party to whom such information is to be made available. The table of contents and headings contained in this Agreement are for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or interpretation of this Agreement.

        10.3     Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, all of which shall be considered one and the same agreement and shall become effective when one or more counterparts have been signed by each of the parties and delivered to the other parties, it being understood that all parties need not sign the same counterpart. Any counterpart may be executed and delivered by facsimile signature and such facsimile signature shall be deemed an original.

        10.4     Entire Agreement; Nonassignability; Parties in Interest. This Agreement, together with the exhibits and the schedules attached hereto, including the Company Disclosure Schedule: (a) constitute the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersede all prior agreements and understandings, both written and oral, among the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof which shall continue in full force and effect, and shall survive any termination of this Agreement or the Closing, in accordance with its terms; (b) are not intended to confer upon any other Person any rights or remedies hereunder; and (c) shall not be assigned by operation of law or otherwise except as otherwise specifically provided.

        10.5     Expenses. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby (including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its advisers, accountants and legal counsel), shall be paid by the party incurring such expense.

        10.6     Tax Matters.  All transfer, documentary, sales, use, stamp, registration and other such Taxes, and all conveyance fees, recording charges and other fees and charges (including any penalties and interest) incurred in connection with the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall be borne by Buyer and shall be paid when due. The parties will file all necessary Tax Returns and other documentation with respect to all such Taxes, fees and charges, and, if required by applicable law, the parties will, and will cause their Affiliates to, join in the execution of any such Tax Returns and other documentation.

        10.7     Amendment. Any provision of this Agreement may be amended only by the written consent of the Company and Buyer. Any agreement on the part of a party to any amendment shall only be valid if set forth in an instrument in writing signed on behalf of such party.



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        10.8     Severability. In the event that any provision of this Agreement, or the application thereof, becomes or is declared by a court of competent jurisdiction to be illegal, void or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement will continue in full force and effect and the application of such provision to other Persons or circumstances will be interpreted so as reasonably to effect the intent of the parties hereto. The parties further agree to replace such void or unenforceable provision of this Agreement with a valid and enforceable provision that will achieve, to the extent possible, the economic, business and other purposes of such void or unenforceable provision.

        10.9     Remedies Cumulative. Except as otherwise provided herein, any and all remedies herein expressly conferred upon a party will be deemed cumulative with and not exclusive of any other remedy conferred hereby, or by law or equity upon such party, and the exercise by a party of any one remedy will not preclude the exercise of any other remedy.

        10.10     Governing Law; Waiver of Jury Trial. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York, other than those which would give effect to the substantive laws of another jurisdiction. EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO IRREVOCABLY WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY SUIT, ACTION OR OTHER PROCEEDING INSTITUTED BY OR AGAINST SUCH PARTY IN RESPECT OF ITS, HIS OR HER OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER OR THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY.

        10.11     Rules of Construction. The parties hereto agree that they have been represented by counsel during the negotiation, preparation and execution of this Agreement and, therefore, waive the application of any law, regulation, holding or rule of construction providing that ambiguities in an agreement or other document will be construed against the party drafting such agreement or document.

        10.12     No Right of Offset. Neither party shall have the right to offset any amount owed to such party against any amount it owes pursuant to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby.

        10.13     Further Assurances. Each of the parties to the Agreement shall use commercially reasonable efforts to effect the transactions contemplated hereby. Each party hereto, from and after the Closing, and at the reasonable request of another party hereto, shall execute and deliver such other instruments, including without limitation, stockholder consent to the transactions contemplated by this Agreement, and do and perform such other acts and things, as may be necessary or desirable for effecting completely the consummation of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby.

        10.14     Deliveries to Buyer. Buyer agrees and acknowledges that all documents or other items delivered to Buyer’s representatives (including, without limitation, Moses & Singer LLP and Buyer’s accountants) shall be deemed to be delivered to Buyer for all purposes hereunder.

        10.15     No Third Party Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided hrein, this Agreement shall not confer any rights or remedies upon any Person other than the parties hereto and their respective successors and permitted assigns, personal representatives, heirs and estates, as the case may be.

[Signature Page Follows]



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        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Asset Purchase Agreement to be executed and delivered by their respective duly authorized officers as of the date first written above.


BUYER: THE COMPANY:

APPLE & EVE, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company



NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.,
a Wisconsin corporation


By:    /s/ Jonathan Alpert
By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
Jonathan Alpert John Swendrowski
Title    Chief Financial Officer
Title    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer



SOLELY WITH RESPECT TO THE
ASSIGNMENT OF OF THE NCI MARKS:
 

NCI FOODS, LLC, a Wisconsin
limited liability company



By:    /s/ John Swendrowski
John Swendrowski
Title    President










[Signature Page to Asset Purchase Agreement]

EX-10.2 4 sdc904a.htm CONCENTRATE PURCHASE AND SUPPLY AGR.

CONCENTRATE PURCHASE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENT


        THIS CONCENTRATE PURCHASE AND SUPPLY AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into as of this 22nd day of February, 2005 (the “Effective Date”), by and between Apple & Eve, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company corporation (“Purchaser”) and Northland Cranberries, Inc., a Wisconsin corporation (“Supplier”).

RECITALS

        A.    Supplier is party to that certain Toll Processing Agreement, dated September 23, 2004 (the “Toll Processing Agreement”), by and between Supplier and Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. (“Ocean Spray”), pursuant to which Ocean Spray has agreed to provide Supplier with cranberry concentrate.

        B.    Purchaser desires to purchase from Supplier, and Supplier desires to sell to Purchaser, cranberry concentrate upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

        C.    Purchaser and Supplier are entering into this Agreement pursuant to Section 2.5(a)(iii) of that certain Asset Purchase Agreement of even date herewith by and between Purchaser and Supplier (the “Asset Purchase Agreement”).

        NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants set forth herein, and other valuable and legally sufficient consideration, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

        1.     Purchase and Sale. Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, during the Term (as hereinafter defined), Supplier shall sell and deliver to Purchaser, and Purchaser shall purchase and accept from Supplier, 50 Brix cranberry concentrate (the “Concentrate”) in the amounts set forth in Section 3 hereof for the purchase price set forth in Section 4 hereof.

        2.     Term. The term of this Agreement (the “Term”) shall commence on the Effective Date and shall continue until the earlier of: (i) September 30, 2014 or (ii) the earlier termination of the Toll Processing Agreement. The period of time from the Effective Date until the date one (1) year following the Effective Date shall hereinafter be referred to as the “Initial Period.” The period of time from October 1, 2005 until the expiration of the Term shall be referred to herein as the “Second Period.”



        3.     Purchase and Sale Requirements. Purchaser agrees to purchase from Supplier, and Supplier agrees to sell to Purchaser, Concentrate in the following amounts:

                (a)    Initial Period Purchase and Sale. During the Initial Period, Purchaser shall purchase from Supplier all of the Concentrate owned by Supplier as of the Effective Date (the “Initial Inventory Concentrate”); provided, however, that Purchaser shall in no event be required to purchase in excess of Two Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand (225,000) gallons of Initial Inventory Concentrate in the aggregate during the Initial Period. Purchaser shall purchase on the Effective Date and on the first day of each calendar month thereafter during the Initial Period (each, an “Initial Inventory Delivery Date”) that portion of the Initial Inventory equal to the lesser of: (i) Eighteen Thousand Seven Hundred Fifty (18,750) gallons; (ii) one twelfth (1/12) of the Initial Inventory, or (iii) the remaining Initial Inventory (the “Monthly Base Concentrate Amount”). Purchaser may purchase an amount in excess of Monthly Base Concentrate Amount on an Initial Inventory Delivery Date provided (i) Purchaser provides to Supplier written notice of its intent to purchase such excess on or before the 15th day of the calendar month preceding such Initial Inventory Delivery Date and (ii) such excess is less than or equal to the remaining Initial Inventory. Each lot of Initial Inventory Concentrate purchased under this Section 3(a) shall be materially consistent with the specifications for such lot set forth in the Certificate of Analysis attached as Exhibit “A” hereto (the “Requirements”). If any lot of Initial Inventory Concentrate purchased under this Section 3(a) is materially inconsistent with the Requirements for such lot, and to the extent such lot is unusable in the production of consumer juice products under the brands sold pursuant to the Asset Purchase Agreement, Purchaser may reject such Initial Inventory Concentrate pursuant to the applicable provisions of Section 5(b) below.

                (b)    Second Period Purchase and Sale. Commencing on October 1, 2005, and for each twelve (12) month period thereafter (each, a “Fiscal Year”) during the Second Period, Purchaser shall have the option each month to purchase an amount of Concentrate (the “Second Period Concentrate”) equal to the total monthly amount of cranberry concentrate available to Supplier under the Toll Processing Agreement for such month (the “Monthly Available Amount”). No later than December 5 of each Fiscal Year during the Second Period, Supplier shall provide Purchaser a nonbinding, good faith estimate of the monthly amounts of cranberry concentrate available to Supplier under the Toll Processing Agreement for the period beginning in January of such Fiscal Year and through September of such Fiscal Year (the “Availability Estimate”). In addition, no later than September 5 of each Fiscal Year during the Second Period, Supplier shall provide Purchaser a nonbinding, good faith estimate of the monthly amounts of cranberry concentrate available to Supplier under the Toll Processing Agreement for the period beginning in October of the following Fiscal Year and through December of such Fiscal Year (the “Post-Harvest Availability Estimate”). Notwithstanding anything contained herein or in any Second Period Purchase Order to the contrary, Supplier shall not be obligated to provide Second Period Concentrate to Purchaser in any period in amounts in excess of the cranberry concentrate delivered or to be delivered to Supplier by Ocean Spray pursuant to the Toll Processing Agreement. Except as relates to binding Second Period Purchase Orders accepted by the Company, nothing contained herein shall require Supplier to sell to Purchaser any or all of Purchaser’s requirements for cranberry concentrate.



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                (c)    Rolling Forecasts; Second Period Purchase Orders. Commencing on September 15, 2005, Purchaser will provide Supplier with a written, rolling three-month purchase forecast which identifies the estimated weekly quantity of Second Period Concentrate to be purchased from Supplier in each of the three full calendar months following the date of such forecast (the “Rolling Forecast”). Except as otherwise provided herein, the Rolling Forecast is for guidance purposes only and shall not constitute an obligation on the part of Purchaser to order the quantities stated therein. Except as otherwise provided herein, Purchaser shall provide Supplier with written updates of the Rolling Forecast on or before the fifteenth (15th) day of each month during the remaining Term. Purchaser shall place orders for Second Period Concentrate not less than twenty (20) days prior to the requested delivery date (the “Second Period Delivery Date” and, together with the Initial Inventory Delivery Date, the “Delivery Date”) and in amounts materially consistent with the Rolling Forecast which shall upon written acceptance by Supplier constitute Purchaser’s firm and binding order for the purchase of Second Period Concentrate (each, a “Second Period Purchase Order” and, together with any other purchase orders hereunder, the “Purchase Orders”). Supplier shall use its best efforts (provided that such efforts do not cause Supplier to incur any material costs) to fill each Second Period Purchase Order to the extent that Supplier can do so using deliveries of cranberry concentrate from Ocean Spray under the Toll Processing Agreement. Purchase Orders and Supplier’s acceptances thereof may be delivered by email or facsimile transmission. In the event of a conflict between the terms of a Purchase Order and the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

        4.     Purchase Price. The purchase price payable by Purchaser for the Concentrate (as applicable, the “Purchase Price”) shall be determined as follows:

                (a)    Initial Period Purchase Price. The Purchase Price for the Initial Inventory to be purchased by Purchaser during the Initial Period shall be Thirty One Dollars ($31.00) per gallon.

                (b)    Second Period Concentrate Purchase Price. The Purchase Price for the Second Period Concentrate shall not, in any particular month, be more than the price at which Supplier sells or may sell 50 Brix cranberry concentrate to Ocean Spray during such month pursuant to the Toll Processing Agreement (the “Market Price”). Supplier shall provide Purchaser with the Market Price on or before the seventh (7th) business day of each month during the Second Period; provided, however, that Supplier’s failure to provide the monthly Market Price by such date shall not reduce or otherwise effect the Market Price payable by Purchaser in the event Purchaser orders Second Period Concentrate in such month.

                (c)     With respect to any Concentrate delivered to Purchaser hereunder, the Purchase Price for such Concentrate shall include all costs of manufacture, storage and interest charges incurred with respect to such Concentrate through the Second Period Delivery Date, together with any storage costs resulting from Supplier’s failure to deliver Concentrate on the Delivery Date. The Purchase Price shall not include, and Purchaser shall be solely responsible for, any costs associated with the shipment of Concentrate after its delivery free on board (“FOB”) common or designated carrier on the applicable Delivery Date, including without limitation shipping, freight, insurance, taxes and other charges and any and all additional storage costs incurred by Supplier due to Purchaser’s (or its carrier’s) failure to take possession of the Concentrate on the Delivery Date. If any such costs are paid by Supplier, Supplier will separately invoice Purchaser for such costs.



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        5.     Delivery; Passage of Title.

                (a)    Delivery; Packing and Shipping. Supplier shall deliver the Concentrate to Purchaser’s common or other carrier: (i) at, with respect to the Initial Inventory Concentrate, the third party warehouse locations identified in Exhibit “A” hereto, or (ii) otherwise, at the Ocean Spray facility, Ocean Spray’s outside freezer location or other agreed upon location at which cranberry concentrate is delivered to Supplier under the Toll Processing Agreement. Supplier shall be responsible for loading all Concentrate onto a common or designated carrier designated by Purchaser. On each Second Period Delivery Date, Supplier shall deliver to Purchaser the lesser of that quantity of Second Period Concentrate set forth in the Second Period Purchase Order or a quantity of Second Period Concentrate equal to the quantity of cranberry concentrate delivered or to be delivered to Supplier by Ocean Spray pursuant to the Toll Processing Agreement. All Concentrate shall be packaged in 50-gallon drums in accordance with the Requirements or the Specifications, as the case may be. Purchaser shall be responsible for securing, scheduling and paying for all transportation of Concentrate after the Delivery Date; provided, however, that Supplier shall be responsible for any storage costs resulting from Supplier’s failure to deliver Second Period Concentrate on the Second Period Delivery Date.

                (b)    Acceptance of Concentrate. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, Purchaser shall not be required to purchase and may reject: (i) any Initial Inventory Concentrate which fails to meet the Requirements, or (ii) any Second Period Concentrate which fails to meet the Specifications or the warranty set forth in Section 10(b) hereof. Purchaser or its third party inspectors shall promptly inspect the Concentrate and shall, within twenty (20) days following the applicable Delivery Date, provide Supplier written notice of any claim that the Concentrate is nonconforming, damaged, defective or fails to meet the Requirements, as to the Initial Inventory Concentrate, or the Specifications, as to the Second Period Concentrate. Upon Purchaser’s written acceptance of any Concentrate, first use of such Concentrate or failure to give Supplier written notice of any claim that the Concentrate is nonconforming, damaged, defective or fails to meet the Requirements, as to the Initial Inventory Concentrate, or the Specifications, as to the Second Period Concentrate, within such twenty (20) day period, whichever occurs first, the applicable Concentrate shall be deemed to conform to the terms of this Agreement, and Purchaser shall be deemed to have accepted the Concentrate on an “as-is” basis, subject to any claims related to the breach of Supplier’s warranty set forth in Section 10(b) hereof. Purchaser hereby expressly and unconditionally waives any and all rights it may have or have otherwise had after expiration of such twenty (20) day period to revoke acceptance or to claim the Concentrate is nonconforming, damaged, defective or fails to meet the Requirements, as to the Initial Inventory Concentrate, or the Specifications, as to the Second Period Concentrate.

                (c)    Passage of Title. Title and risk of loss of the Concentrate shall automatically pass to Purchaser on the applicable Delivery Date and not before. Upon passage of title, Purchaser shall receive good title to all delivered Concentrate, free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.



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                (d)    Failure of Ocean Spray to Deliver Concentrate. Except with respect to the Initial Inventory, Supplier shall have no obligation to accept a Second Period Purchase Order under this Agreement or to deliver any Second Period Concentrate under any Second Period Purchase Order if Ocean Spray is unable or fails, for whatever reason under the Toll Processing Agreement, to deliver cranberry concentrate in kind and quantity sufficient to satisfy the Specifications and/or the applicable Second Period Purchase Order; provided that Supplier may choose to partially fulfill an order to the extent it can source cranberry concentrate from Ocean Spray. Supplier shall not be obligated in the Second Period to deliver during any month more than the amount of Concentrate Supplier can purchase from Ocean Spray during such month under the Toll Processing Agreement. Supplier shall notify Purchaser as soon as practicable upon its discovery of Ocean Spray’s inability or failure to deliver Second Period Concentrate sufficient to satisfy the Specifications and/or the applicable Second Period Purchase Order to the extent accepted by Supplier and shall use commercially reasonable efforts thereafter to fulfill the terms of the applicable Second Period Purchase Order, to the extent accepted by Supplier.

        6.     Payment. Supplier shall issue invoices for the Concentrate within three (3) business days of each Delivery Date, the payment terms of which shall be net thirty (30) days from the Delivery Date; provided, however, that such period shall be extended by the duration of any delay caused by Supplier in the delivery of Second Period Concentrate. If any invoice is not paid within such time, Purchaser shall be assessed a penalty of interest at an annual rate equal to the prime rate as published in the Wall Street Journal on the date such payment was due, plus five percent (5%). All payments to Supplier shall be made electronically to an account designated by Supplier, shall be made in United States currency or cash equivalent and shall be payable in full without delay, set-off, reduction or discount. Invoices may be delivered by email or facsimile transmission.

        7.     Quality Specifications. The Initial Inventory shall meet the Requirements set forth on Exhibit “A” hereto, and the Second Period Concentrate shall meet the specifications set forth on Exhibit “B” hereto (the “Specifications”). Supplier shall each month provide Purchaser with the certificate(s) of analysis for each lot of Second Period Concentrate as and when provided to Supplier by Ocean Spray pursuant to the Toll Processing Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, however, Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that Supplier may from time to time, and upon written notice to Purchaser, amend the Specifications set forth on Exhibit “B” hereto to the extent and as such Specifications may be unilaterally amended by Ocean Spray from time to time pursuant to the terms of the Toll Processing Agreement, and that such amendment shall otherwise have no effect on this Agreement. Purchaser shall be solely responsible for obtaining, at Purchaser’s sole cost and expense, any additional inspections, approvals or certifications and other requirements for the sale to consumers of the Concentrate by Purchaser or its Affiliates. Provided that the Concentrate complies with the Requirements or the Specifications, as applicable, Supplier shall not be responsible for any fine, penalty or loss of any kind in any way resulting from the inspection, testing for or failure to meet any standards or specifications or obtain inspections, approvals, certifications or other requirements necessary for the distribution, sale and/or consumption of the Concentrate. As used herein, the term “Affiliate” shall mean any person (including but not limited to natural persons, corporations, limited liability companies, limited partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability partnerships, joint ventures, trusts, land trusts, business trusts and other organizations) who controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such person.



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        8.     Termination.

        (a)    By Supplier. If at any time Purchaser breaches any representation or warranty or fails to perform any obligation in this Agreement, Supplier may, in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement upon forty-five (45) days’ written notice, provided that Supplier shall have the ability to terminate this Agreement immediately in the event any payment required to be made by Purchaser to Supplier is not received within twenty (20) days of notice of default, in any such event unless such default is being contested in good faith by Purchaser. In addition, Supplier may immediately terminate this Agreement upon the termination, for any reason, of the Toll Processing Agreement.

        (b)    By Purchaser. If at any time during the Second Period Supplier breaches any representation or warranty or fails to perform any obligation in this Agreement, Purchaser may, in its sole discretion, terminate this Agreement upon forty-five (45) days’ written notice, in any such event unless such default is being contested in good faith by Supplier. In addition, upon the termination, for any reason, of the Toll Processing Agreement, Purchaser may terminate its obligation to purchase the Second Period Concentrate under this Agreement.

        9.     Taxes and Fees. Any manufacturer’s, retailer’s, occupation, use, personal property, sales or excise tax, duty, custom, inspection or testing fee, or any other tax, fee or charge of any nature whatsoever imposed by any governmental authority, on account or measured by any goods sold or shipped by Supplier to Purchaser hereunder, or in the possession of Purchaser, or by any sale by Supplier to Purchaser, shall be paid by Purchaser in addition to the prices agreed or invoiced. In the event that Supplier pays any such tax, fee or charge, Purchaser shall reimburse Supplier therefor.

        10.    Warranties and Covenants of Supplier; Limitations on Liability.

                (a)    No Amendments to Specifications under Toll Processing Agreement. To the extent any amendments or modifications of the cranberry concentrate specifications under the Toll Processing Agreement require the consent of Supplier, or any other provision of the Toll Processing Agreement which relates to the use or sale of cranberry concentrate under such agreement by Purchaser, Supplier agrees that it shall not consent to any such amendments or modifications without the express prior written consent of Purchaser, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed.

                (b)    Notice of Changes. No later than December 1 of each year during the Term hereof, Supplier shall notify Purchaser of its intention to terminate or cancel any supply or sourcing agreements with any third party contract growers to which Supplier is a party as of the Effective Date (the “Third Party Supply Agreements”), the effect of which would be to reduce the total acreage of cranberry marshes under contract by Supplier or its Affiliates (the “Available Acreage”) to less than 1,575 acres. Upon such termination or cancellation, Supplier agrees to use its best efforts (provided that such efforts do not cause Supplier to incur any material costs) to: (i) introduce Purchaser to such third party contract growers; and (ii) assist Purchaser in establishing a supply arrangement with such third party contract growers.



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                (c)    Warranties. Supplier warrants to Purchaser that the Concentrate, as of the time of each respective Delivery Date, complies with applicable law, is not adulterated, and is fit for human consumption. EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 10(c), SUPPLIER MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED AND EITHER IN FACT OR BY OPERATION OF LAW, WITH RESPECT TO THE CONCENTRATE, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTY ARISING FROM COURSE OF PERFORMANCE, COURSE OF DEALING, USAGE OR TRADE. PURCHASER SPECIFICALLY ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT, EXCEPT FOR THE LIMITED WARRANTY SET FORTH IN THIS SECTION 10(c) AND SUBJECT TO THE RIGHT OF REJECTION SET FORTH IN SECTION 5(b): (I) PURCHASER IS PURCHASING THE CONCENTRATE “AS-IS;” AND (II) NO ORAL OR WRITTEN STATEMENTS, ADVICE OR INFORMATION GIVEN BY SUPPLIER, ITS AFFILIATES, AGENTS, SUPPLIERS OR CONTRACTORS, OR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS OR EMPLOYEES, SHALL CREATE ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OF ANY KIND WHATSOEVER. THE LIMITED WARRANTY CONTAINED HEREIN IS EXCLUSIVE TO PURCHASER AND SHALL NOT EXTEND TO ANY THIRD PARTIES.

                (d)    Indemnification. Supplier shall defend, indemnify and hold Purchaser harmless from and against any and all liability, loss, damage, cost or expense incurred by Purchaser (including reasonable attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with (i) the breach of Supplier’s representations (to the extent limited in Section 10(e) of this Agreement), warranties and agreements herein (unless such breach is caused by a breach of Purchaser’s representations, warranties and obligations hereunder), (ii) any patent infringement relating to any equipment, technology, process or method used by Supplier or its subcontractors in providing Concentrate hereunder which is not specifically required by the Specifications, and (iii) any recall to the extent such recall is attributable to the breach of Supplier’s representations and warranties herein, provided, however, that such indemnification in (i) through (iii) shall not apply to the extent that such losses, claims, damages and liabilities arise from the willful misconduct or gross negligence of Purchaser or its representatives.

                (e)    Limitation of Liability. Except as otherwise provided in this Section 10, Supplier’s sole obligation to Purchaser with respect to Concentrate sold hereunder shall be to replace defective Concentrate pursuant to Sections 5(d) and 10(c) above, but only to the extent it can do so with the cranberry concentrate available to it under the Toll Processing Agreement. NEITHER SUPPLIER NOR ITS AFFILIATES, NOR THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, SHALL BE LIABLE FOR, AND PURCHASER HEREBY EXPRESSLY WAIVES, ANY AND ALL CLAIMS AGAINST SUPPLIER, ITS AFFILIATES AND THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS, FOR INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO DAMAGES FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR REVENUES, LOSS OF GOODWILL, LOSS OF USE OF PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, INABILITY TO PERFORM SPECIFIC PROJECTS, COST OF CAPITAL, DOWNTIME COSTS, FACILITIES OR SERVICES, SHUT-DOWNS, SLOW-DOWNS OR CLAIMS RESULTING FROM CONTRACTS AND/OR AGREEMENTS BETWEEN PURCHASER, ITS CUSTOMERS, CONTRACTORS AND/OR SUPPLIERS, IN EACH CASE WHICH IN ANY WAY RELATES TO THE SALE OF THE CONCENTRATE OR THE USE THEREOF. THIS LIMITATION APPLIES REGARDLESS OF WHETHER SUCH DAMAGES ARE SOUGHT BASED ON BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL OR EQUITABLE THEORY.



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        11.    Warranties and Covenants of Purchaser.

                (a)    Restrictions on Use of Concentrate. Purchaser warrants, covenants and agrees that all Concentrate supplied by Supplier and purchased by Purchaser under this Agreement shall only be used as an ingredient for products sold by Purchaser under the brand names Northland, Seneca, and Tree Sweet; provided, however, that the Initial Inventory acquired by Purchaser hereunder may be used as an ingredient in other products sold under brand names owned by Purchaser on the Effective Date. Beginning on the date three (3) months from the Effective Date, and every three (3) months thereafter during the Term, Purchaser shall provide Supplier a certificate signed by Purchaser’s Chief Executive Officer or its Chief Financial Officer certifying, solely in their respective capacities as officers of Purchaser, that all of the Concentrate purchased by Purchaser in the preceding three (3) month period has been used only as permitted by this Section 11; provided, however, that no such officer shall as a result of such certification incur any personal liability to Supplier. Supplier will request that Ocean Spray consent to permit the Second Period Concentrate to be used as an ingredient for products sold by Purchaser under the brand name Apple & Eve.

                (b)    Breach of Covenants; Remedies. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that any breach of the provisions this Section 11(a) will cause Supplier irreparable injury for which monetary damages may not be adequate, and that Supplier shall be entitled to temporary, preliminary and permanent injunctive relief, without bond, to restrain any actual or threatened conduct of Purchaser in violation of these provisions. Except as otherwise provided herein, the rights and remedies of Supplier hereunder are not exclusive, and Supplier shall, alternatively or cumulatively, be entitled to damages for breach, to injunctive relief, specific performance and any other remedy at law or in equity. Purchaser acknowledges and agrees that any breach of the provisions of Section 11(a) will cause Supplier to incur significant direct, indirect, incidental, consequential and other damages, including without limitation loss of profit, loss of business, loss of goodwill, lost use of products and services, downtime costs and damage to Supplier’s business relationship with its customers and suppliers. Purchaser therefore agrees to defend, indemnify and hold Supplier harmless from and against any and all claims, damages and expenses of any kind incurred as a result of any breach of the provisions of this Agreement. Nothing contained in this Agreement shall be construed to limit in any way limit Supplier’s damages with respect to Purchaser’s breach of the covenants contained in Section 11(a).

        12.    Inspection. Supplier or Supplier’s representatives, including its independent public accountants, shall have the right, upon not less than five (5) days’ prior written notice to Purchaser and during Purchaser’s normal business hours, to review all books and records in the possession of Purchaser or subject to Purchaser’s control relating to the production and use of the Concentrate, or products in which the Concentrate is used as an ingredient, or otherwise necessary to confirm Purchaser’s compliance with the covenants contained in this Agreement, including without limitation all formulas, blending and bottling records, line production and other manufacturing records (collectively, the “Use Records”). The Use Records shall be retained by Purchaser for the lesser of: (i) a period of one (1) year following the final date of delivery hereunder; or (ii) such period as may be required under applicable federal, state or local law.



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        13.    Insurance.

                (a)    By Purchaser. At or prior to the Effective Date, Purchaser, at its sole expense shall cause Supplier to be named as an additional insured under each of its policy or policies of insurance insuring against claims for personal injury, property damage and product liability arising out of or resulting from the purchase, sale, distribution or consumption of the Concentrate. On or prior to the Effective Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Supplier one or more certificates of insurance evidencing that the insurance to be obtained by it pursuant to this Section 13 is in effect and providing for notification to Supplier at least thirty (30) days prior to the effective date of any termination or cancellation of such insurance. The insurance coverage set forth in this Section 13 shall be maintained by Purchaser in an amount of not less than two million dollars ($2,000,000) per occurrence and ten million dollars ($10,000,000) in the aggregate during the term of this Agreement and for a period of one (1) year following the termination of this Agreement. Supplier shall not be responsible for any of Purchaser’s supplies or equipment (crates, containers, vehicles, etc.) and Purchaser shall be solely responsible for maintaining insurance on such items as it deems appropriate. Purchaser shall maintain such insurance covering product liability and its employees and vehicles in such amounts and coverages as is customary for companies in the industry and upon Supplier’s request shall furnish evidence of such insurance to Supplier.

                (b)    By Supplier. For the duration of this Agreement, Supplier shall maintain all insurance required of it under the Toll Processing Agreement and shall cause Purchaser to be named as an additional insured under each of the policies therefor and shall provide the types of certificates therefor, with the notification requirements specified above, as Purchaser is to provide to Supplier under Section 13(a).

        14.    Force Majeure. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement, neither party shall be liable to the other hereunder for any failure to comply with the terms and provisions of this Agreement, including particularly, but without limitation, failure to deliver Concentrate, if such failure is caused by, due to, or arises from, factors beyond such party’s reasonable control, including without limitation acts or omissions of the other party hereto, any act of God, acts of terror or national calamity, war or political strife, natural disasters, storms or fire, action by any lawful authority, the provisions of any present or future law, regulation or rule (including the Cranberry Marketing Order as promulgated by the United States Department of Agriculture), labor disputes, delay or failure of transportation, unavailability of raw materials or other situations, whether similar or dissimilar to the foregoing, resulting from causes not within the reasonable control of such party.



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        15.    Assignment. This Agreement may not be assigned by either party without the prior written consent of the other party, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or delayed, and any attempted assignment without such written consent shall be null and void and without legal effect. This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective parties hereto and their permitted successors and assigns. Notwithstanding the foregoing, either party may assign this Agreement without the consent of the other party to any person, corporation or other entity with or into which such party may be merged, or to which all or substantially all of such party’s assets (or its remaining assets, at any given time) may be sold or otherwise transferred (which in the case of Supplier, must also include the assumption of its obligations under the Toll Processing Agreement) or to any assignees of any of the brand names contemplated in Section 11(a) (subject to Supplier’s consent, not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed), and the parties hereto hereby agree that in connection with any such transaction, at the assigning party’s option, the other party shall use commercially reasonable efforts to obtain from the other party or parties to such transaction its or their agreement to assume and be responsible for the assigning party’s obligations hereunder and otherwise to be bound by the terms of this Agreement (provided, however, in the case of an assignment by Purchaser, such assignment shall have no force or effect unless such other party or parties agrees in writing to be bound by the terms of this Agreement). In addition, Supplier may assign this Agreement, or any of Supplier’s rights hereunder, as collateral security to any bank, lender or other financial institution.

        16.    Waiver. The delay or failure by either party to exercise or enforce in any one or more instances, any of the terms or conditions of this agreement shall not constitute or be deemed a waiver of that party’s right thereafter to enforce the terms and conditions of this Agreement. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, rights and remedies hereunder shall be cumulative.

        17.    Relationship of the Parties. Except as otherwise provided herein, the parties hereto are independent contractors, and neither is the agent, licensee, distributor, partner, joint venturer or employee of the other, and neither is authorized to assume or create any obligation on behalf of or in the name of the other party. Nether party will state, imply or knowingly permit anyone to infer that any other relationship exists between the parties.

        18.    Notices. Any notices, demands, requests, consents, waivers, approvals or other communications given or made, or required to be given or made, under this Agreement must be made in writing and shall be deemed effective on the earlier of (a) the day of actual personal delivery, which shall include communication by telefax, if proof of receipt by the recipient party is communicated in writing to the sending party; (b) one business day after delivery by a certified overnight courier service to the address set forth below; or (c) five business days after deposit by certified or registered mail or airmail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:









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  If to Supplier, to:

  Northland Cranberries, Inc.
2321 West Grand Avenue
Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54495-8020
Attn: Kenneth Iwinski, Esq.
Facsimile: (715) 422-6897

  With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

  Foley & Lardner LLP
777 East Wisconsin Avenue
Milwaukee, WI 53202
Attn: Steven R. Barth, Esq.
Facsimile: (414) 297-4900

  If to Purchaser, to:

  Apple & Eve LLC
2 Seaview Boulevard
Port Washington, NY 11050-4634
Attention: Gordon Crane, CEO
Fax No.: (516) 625-9474

  With a copy (which shall not constitute notice) to:

  If prior to August 31, 2005:

  Moses & Singer LLP
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Attn: James Alterbaum, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 554-7700

  If from and after September 1, 2005:

  Moses & Singer LLP
The Chrysler Building
405 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10174
Attn: James Alterbaum, Esq.
Facsimile: (212) 554-7700

        19.    Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original and both of which together shall be deemed to be one and the same Agreement.



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        20.    Governing Law; Venue. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York, without regard to its principles of conflicts of law which would require the application of the laws of another jurisdiction.

        21.    Headings. Section headings of this Agreement are for convenience only and shall not be construed as a part of this Agreement or as a limitation on the scope of any of the terms or provisions of this Agreement.

        22.    Severability. If any provision of this Agreement is held invalid or unenforceable by any authority of competent jurisdiction, such ruling shall not invalidate or render unenforceable the other provisions of this Agreement.

        23.    No Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement, express or implied, is intended to confer on any other person or entity other than Supplier and Purchaser and their respective successors and assigns (to the extent permitted under Section 15) any rights or remedies under or by virtue of this Agreement.

        24.    Entire Agreement; Amendment. This Agreement represents the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes and terminates all prior agreements, whether written or oral, entered into between the parties with respect to said subject matter. For their convenience, the parties may from time to time use their standard purchase orders, sales releases, delivery schedules, acknowledgments, invoices and other similar preprinted forms. Any terms and conditions contained in such forms shall have no effect on the rights and obligations of the parties with respect to the purchase and sale of the Concentrate. The parties expressly intend and agree that the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall prevail and exclusively govern the relationship between them as to the sale and purchase of Concentrate. This Agreement cannot be modified or terminated nor may any of its provisions be waived except by a written instrument signed by both parties hereto.

        IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have, through their duly authorized representatives, executed this Agreement as of the day and year first above written.


PURCHASER: SUPPLIER:

APPLE & EVE, LLC, a
Delaware limited liability company



NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.,
a Wisconsin corporation


By:    /s/  Jonathan Alpert
By:    /s/  John Swendrowski
Jonathan Alpert John Swendrowski
Title    Chief Financial Officer
Title    Chairman and Chief Executive Officer


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EX-99 5 sdc904c.htm FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEAR ENDED AUGUST 31, 2004
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)


Historical
Adjustment
As Adjusted
Net revenues     $ 74,045   $ (47,544 ) $ 26,501  
Cost of sales    (50,969 )  35,871    (15,098 )



Gross profit    23,076    (11,673 )  11,403  

Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (18,996 )  9,482    (9,514 )
Write down of long-lived assets and assets held for sale    (558 )  0    (558 )
Gain on disposal of business and property and equipment    2,851    0    2,851  

Other Income
    3,000    0    3,000  




Income (loss) from operations
    9,373    (2,191 )  7,182  

Interest expense
    (2,886 )  560    (2,326 )
Gain on future interest payable    5,339    0    5,339  

Interest Income
    47    0    47  




Income (loss) before income taxes
    11,873    (1,631 )  10,242  
Income tax benefit    6,156    0    6,156  




Net income (loss)
   $ 18,029   $ (1,631 ) $ 16,398  




Net income per common share:
  
  Basic:   $ 0.19   $ (0.02 ) $ 0.17  
  Diluted:   $ 0.18   $ (0.02 ) $ 0.16  

Shares used in computing net income per share:
  
  Basic    93,403,758    93,403,758    93,403,758  
  Diluted    100,939,523    100,939,523    100,939,523  


See notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.



NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
THREE MONTHS ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 2004
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Historical
Adjustment
As Adjusted
Revenues     $ 23,100   $ (10,703 ) $ 12,397  
Cost of sales    (16,808 )  8,727    (8,081 )



Gross profit    6,292    (1,976 )  4,316  

Selling, general and administrative expenses
    (5,678 )  2,769    (2,909 )
Gain on disposal of business and property and equipment    7,699    0    7,699  




Income from operations
    8,313    793    9,106  

Interest expense
    (862 )  64    (798 )
Interest income    79    0    79  




Income before income taxes
    7,530    857    8,387  

Income tax expense
    (3,024 )  0    (3,024 )




Net income
   $ 4,506   $ 857   $ 5,363  




Net income per common share:
  
  Basic:   $ 0.05   $ 0.01   $ 0.06  
  Diluted:   $ 0.04   $ 0.01   $ 0.05  

Shares used in computing net income per share:
  
  Basic    94,091,633    94,091,633    94,091,633  
  Diluted    101,099,100    101,099,100    101,099,100  


See notes to unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements.



NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
AS OF NOVEMBER 30, 2004
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

Historical
Adjustment
As Adjusted
ASSETS                

Current assets:
  
     Cash and cash equivalents   $ 34,011    154   $ 34,165  
     Accounts receivable - net    8,168    (4,292 )  3,876  
     Escrow receivable    2,532    500    3,032  
     Inventories    28,160    (4,788 )  23,372  
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets    835    (180 )  655  
     Deferred income taxes    3,175    0    3,175  



Total current assets    76,881    (8,606 )  68,275  

Property and equipment - net
    47,019        47,019  

Other assets
  
    Other assets    901    0    901  
    Debt issuance cost - net    2,207    (1,500 )  707  



      Total assets   $ 127,008   $ (10,106 ) $ 116,902  



LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   

Current liabilities:
  
   Accounts payable    14,142    (4,653 )  9,489  
   Accrued liabilities    10,745    (1,328 )  9,417  
   Accrued dividends    31,889    ~    31,889  
   Revolving line of credit facility    5,000    (5,000 )  0  
   Current maturities of long-term debt:  
       Outstanding principal payments    8,910    (3,000 )  5.910  
       Future interest payments from debt restructuring    172    0    172  



             Current maturities of long-term debt    9,082    (3,000 )  6,082  



      Total current liabilities    70,858    (13,981 )  56,877  

Long-term debt:
  
       Outstanding principal payments    18,459    ~    18,459  
       Future interest payments from debt restructuring    1,165    0    1,165  



             Long-term debt    19,624    0    19,624  



      Total liabilities    90,482    (13,981 )  76,501  




Shareholders' equity:
  
   Common stock - Class A, $0.01 par value, 94,091,633 shares issued and  
     outstanding    941    0    941  
   Redeemable preferred stock - Series B, $0.01 par value 100 shares  
     issued and outstanding    0    0    0  
   Additional paid-in capital    154,902    0    154,902  
   Accumulated Deficit    (119,317 )  3,875    (115,442 )



Total shareholders' equity   $ 36,526   $ 3,875   $ 40,401  



Total liabilities and shareholders equity   $ 127,008   $ (10,106 ) $ 116,902  





See notes to unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated financial statements.


NORTHLAND CRANBERRIES, INC.
NOTES TO
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The pro forma financial data do not purport to project our results of operations for the current year or for any future period. The pro forma financial data are based upon, and should be read in connection with, the latest audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2004.

The pro forma consolidated statements of income do not reflect (i) the gain on the sale of the branded juice business of approximately $5.4 million or (ii) the write off of debt issuance costs of approximately $ 1.5 million as a result of amendments to the Company's Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement made in connection with the sale of the branded juice business.

1. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated balance sheet has been prepared to reflect the sale by the Company of the finished good and raw materials inventories, trade accounts receivable and all liabilities comprising its branded juice business. The pro forma adjustments as of November 30, 2004 reflect the following:

  (a) The receipt of cash from the sale of branded juice business.

  (b) The reduction of debt from the proceeds of the sale.

  (c) The assets and liabilities sold.

2. The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statements of incomes for the year ended August 31, 2004 and the three months ended November 30, 2004 are based on the financial statements of the Company after giving effect to the following pro forma adjustments:

  (a) The reduction in revenue and cost of goods sold as a result of the sale of the branded juice business.

  (b) The reduction in selling expenses and administrative expenses as a result of the sale.

  (c) The decrease in interest expense is a result of the reduction in debt due to the application of proceeds from the sale of the branded juice business.

  (d) There is no provision for income tax expense resulting from the pro forma adjustments as any tax expense associated with the adjustments would be offset by the reversal of previously recognized valuation allowances on net operating loss carry forwards.



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